Secretary of Foreign Affairs Alberto G. Romulo lauded yesterday ongoing preparations for the hosting by the Philippines of the Foreign Ministers’ Retreat of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), citing the early arrival of some of the ministers as "a sign of our Southeast Asian neighbors’ confidence in the Philippines."

"I am happy to note that some of my counterparts are flying in early to Cebu for this retreat. This signals that our ASEAN neighbors are very keen to see more of the country and Cebu in particular before we get down to discuss issues of relevance and importance to our region," the Secretary said.

A number of foreign ministers, including Foreign Minister U Nyan Win of Myanmar and ASEAN Secretary General Ong Keng Yong, arrived in Cebu on April 9, two days before the start of the retreat today, April 11.

The rest of the foreign ministers, some of whom were accompanied by their spouses, arrived in the early afternoon of April 10. Romulo himself flew to Cebu to personally oversee the final details of the preparations for the retreat, which the Philippines is hosting for the first time at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort.

"This positive response on the part of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers is an indication that Cebu is really the appropriate choice of venue for this retreat," Romulo declared, adding that, "Cebu remains one of the Philippines’ top destinations, unique for its blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and vigorous economic development, which is a model for the rest of the country."

"The province of Cebu has much to offer as a focal point for eco-tourism and as a hub for foreign investment in the Visayas region. I am confident that this meeting will be a memorable and productive for all the delegates," the Secretary said.

He added that the warm response of the ASEAN foreign ministers to the Philippines’ hosting of the retreat sends the unmistakable message that the country is a safe travel destination, where tourists are able to live up the sights and flavors of the islands, while feeling safe and secure. (David Cagahastian)

Restaurant owner kidnapped

ZAMBOANGA CITY — A restaurant owner was seized Sunday by unidentifed gunmen on a southern Philippine island, in the third kidnapping incident in the past four days, police said.

Vidal Querol, a regional police director, said Renato Yanga, 44, was seized before dawn by five gunmen at his restaurant on Jolo island, 1,000 kilometers south of Manila.

Querol said the victim was forcibly dragged by his abductors to a van waiting outside the restaurant and driven off to Patikul town, a stronghold of al-Qaeda-linked Muslim Abu Sayyaf rebels.

"There has been no feedback yet on the condition of the victim," he said. "Investigators are still determining the motive behind the abduction."

Yanga’s abduction was the third in the southern region of Mindanao during four days, raising fears of a new upsurge in kidnappings.

On Friday, a Filipino-Chinese businessman was also kidnapped by four unidentified gunmen in the southern city of Cotabato. A day earlier, Muslim trader Jamael Rogong was seized in the nearby city of Marawi. (DPA)

New LTO official named

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has appointed lawyer Manuel A. Morente Jr. as the new director of the LTO Traffic Adjudication Service (TAS).

In an order signed by LTO chief and Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) Assistant Secretary Anneli Lontoc, Morente’s appointment to the position is pursuant to the appointment order signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo dated March 1, 2005 and the Assumption to Duty dated April 6, 2005 signed by DoTC Secretary Leandro Mendoza.

Former TAS director lawyer Fernando Em has turned over all properties and accountabilities in the presence of a Commission on Audit representative.

Morente replaced Em as TAS director following a sit-down protest staged by a group of LTO employees who are against Em’s dismissal during lunch break of every working day.

Em had served the LTO for 33 years and is considered as one of the pillars of LTO by the protesters. (JC Bello Ruiz)