Celso names visiting Ateneans as Zambo’s envoys of goodwill
Mayor Celso Lobregat the other day named as ambassadors of goodwill the visiting student leaders from five Ateneo Universities in the country as he lamented that Zamboanga City is a victim of negative publicity.
“It’s unfortunate that incidents like bombing and kidnapping for instance occurring in other parts of the Zamboanga Peninsula are datelined Zamboanga City when they get published in national dailies,” Lobregat told student leaders from Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, Xavier University of Cagayan de Oro City, Ateneo de Naga University and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
“So, people who do not know much about Zamboanga City would think we are that bad when actually it is not. You can see for yourselves that Zamboanga City is peaceful and progressive,” he told the Atenean leaders. “I am asking you, when you go back to your respective places, please tell people (there) that Zamboanga City is not what most people think it is. I am appointing you as ambassadors of goodwill.”
Lobregat admitted though that Zamboanga City has had its share of peace and order problems as most progressive cities in the country and in the world do. “Even the world’s most powerful nation like the United States has become a victim of terrorism,” he said, citing the infamous 9/11 attacks.
“All of us are potential targets of terrorism because terrorism knows no boundaries and no religion,” Lobregat said but stressed that the city government under his administration has been doing everything possible to prevent violence. Some of these programs, he said, include giving monthly allowances to the police, jail guards and firemen, constructing police stations and providing them with equipments (cars, gasoline, computers, and radios) to combat criminalities.
Unfortunately, he lamented that things could still happen because the police cannot possibly guard every inch of the city at all times. “In fact, yesterday (Tuesday) a police major and his bodyguard were shot dead. One of the suspects was arrested,” the mayor said even as he also took pride in the peaceful Fiesta Pilar celebration.
Lobregat was presiding a meeting on Undas preparations Wednesday afternoon when the Atenean leaders arrived for a courtesy call. He also obliged some questions from the visiting students and handed them tokens of Chabacano dictionary, brochures and miniatures of vinta sails. The students queried about the city’s political and economic landscapes, health programs and 2010 presidential preferences. (Vic Larato)