Police guide Mt Pulag treckers

KABAYAN, Benguet -- Police in Kabayan, Benguet are providing tour guide services to trekkers in Mt. Pulag, considered a best practice in ensuring safety of tourists.

“Involving tourists' safety, they are very safe. We are implementing the ‘my police officer is my guide’ program,” said Lieutenant Gilbert Anselmo, Kabayan chief of police, on Monday.

Kabayan police have been trained on how to serve as tour guides doubling as security, which they do without a fee. The practice has been in effect for years upon request of visitors.

Anselmo said tourists who go to Kabayan to visit the famed mummy caves, the "four lakes", and Mt. Pulag are all safe and secure. The Akiki trail leading to Mt. Pulag is located in Kabayan.

From September to December 15 this year, Kabayan continues to record zero crime incidence, Anselmo said.

He attributed the zero crime incidence to the active information and education campaign and close coordination with the local government unit and the community.

“We keep ourselves busy on IEC, visitations, safety of tourists, because Kabayan is a tourist destination,” Anselmo said.

                The town enforces a curfew on the selling of liquor at 8 p.m. and a curfew for minors at 8 p.m. Police also conduct patrols at the villages to ensure the safety of residents. (Pigeon M. Lobien/ PNA)