Ferry boat owners bare Plan B once dream bridge is completed

DavOr eyed as another PH surfing destination

Aprofessional group of surfers is looking at the potential of Davao Oriental province as another surfing destination in the Philippines.

In a statement from the Provincial Information Office, Dr. Jose Raul Canlas, president of the United Philippine Surfing Association (UPSA), described the province as a “dream destination for many surfers owing to its crystal-clear waters, pristine white-sand beaches, and perfect waves.”

He also expressed UPSA’s interest in bringing surfing activities to the province, which Governor Corazon Malanyaon welcomed by inviting the group for the possibility of launching a grand surfing event within the year.

UPSA, the national sports body for surfing in the country, paid a courtesy call with Presidential son William Vinny Araneta Marcos on Monday at the

By MAYA M. PADILLO

provincial tourism complex.

Along with the young Marcos, the group visited some of the province’s surfing sites on the east coast over the weekend, and Mati City on Monday morning.

Malanyaon said she has been keen on promoting the province’s tourism sector, considering it is an effective way to boost the local economy, as it can create additional local job opportunities and generate revenue for local businesses.

“Having the region’s longest coastline, mostly facing the Pacific Ocean, Davao Oriental boasts waves offering surfers an excellent ride,” the governor said.

Giving the visitors a glimpse of the province, the governor gave the Presidential son and the surfers a tour of the Subangan Provincial Museum showcasing the area’s cultural and natural heritage. (PNA)

An official of the local government of the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS) disclosed to Edge Davao that ferry boat owners servicing the Davao City-IGaCoS ferry are planning to reroute their services to Talikud Island and Pantukan in Davao de Oro once the Samal Island-Davao City (SIDC) Connector Project is completed.

Samal City Information officer Michael Anthony Homez in an interview said that seven ferry boats are currently servicing passengers from Davao City to Samal.

He said when the bridge is completed a ferry boat owner is planning to reroute his service from Samal to Kingking in Pantukan while the other investor is eyeing to service the Kaputian to Talikud Island route.

“It is expected na ang mainland Samal mudaghan na ang traffic tungod sa tulay so mukusog na ang adventure sa island. So ang Talikud karon gina-prepare na namo naa nami government center and roads are currently being concreted in preparation sa tulay. Ready na ang Talikud to cater for another set of tourists,” Homez said.

FFERRY, P10

Usual suspects in rape cases involving minors are relatives, acquaintances: DCPO

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported on Wednesday that based on their records the usual suspects in rape cases in the Davao Region involving minors are relatives and acquaintances of the victims.

“Kasagaran sa rape kasaragan suspect kaila ug relative. So dili nata mu kumpyansa karon sa kaila ug kabarkada. Labi na kung sa mga barkada nga inum inum unya mahubog, mao na kasagaran sa among record kung minors. Sa rape cases, mas daghan ang minors compared sa adults as victims,” Police Major Catherine dela Rey, DCPO spokesperson, said during the AFP PNP Press Corps media forum on Wednesday at The Royal Mandaya Hotel.

Dela Rey cited the case of the 9-year-old girl as an example who was reported missing on March 17, 2023 in Barangay Paquibato Proper in Paquibato

District and was found dead on March 21, 2023.

Dela Rey reported that the suspect Anecito Abejuela Tupas Jr, 31 years old, is a cousin of the victim.

Dela Rey said often rape cases were reported late because children are afraid of the perpetrators, embarrassed, and think they have no allies.

“Sa mga victims ayaw mo ug kahadlok ug dangop mo sa pu-