Geline Salac

Naga City tour guide sacked for harassing hiker at Mt. Isarog

Article (news)

Jonathan Magistrado

ABS-CBN News

NAGA CITY -- The City Government of Naga has taken swift disciplinary action following an incident at Mt. Isarog Natural Park where a local tour guide allegedly entered a hiker&#x27;s tent without authorization and subjected them to harassment.In an official statement, city officials strongly condemned the incident, calling the conduct &quot;reprehensible, wholly unacceptable, and [having] no place in our community or in any of our tourism destinations.&quot;The suspect—a newly hired Job Order (JO) worker under the Public Safety Office (PSO) with less than a month of service who also worked as a part-time local tour guide—admitted to the misconduct.Following his admission, the Naga City Government immediately withdrew his work assignments and initiated termination proceedings. The LGU also directed the local tour guide organization to remove him from its roster and requested the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) to enforce strict access restrictions against him.A joint task force comprising the City Legal Office, Gender and Development (GAD) Office, City Environment and Natural Resources Office, PSO, and the Investment and Tourism Promotions Office has been formed to conduct a thorough investigation, with the GAD Office reaching out directly to assist the victim.<div> </div><div>TOUR ORGANIZER STATEMENT</div>Meanwhile, local tour organizer Lauyay Joiners and Hikers released an official statement on July 24 expressing full solidarity with the victim while clarifying that the suspect is not affiliated with their team.&quot;Ang tour guide na sangkot sa insidente ay hindi miyembro, staff, empleyado, o kinatawan ng Lauyay Hikers and Joiners,&quot; the group stated, explaining that local guides are independently assigned by the city government.&quot;Dahil dito, wala pong kapangyarihan ang Lauyay Hikers and Joiners na pumili, magtalaga, o mangasiwa sa mga guide,&quot; they emphasized.Lauyay detailed that staff and joiners were awakened by cries and shouts at Camp 4 around 1:00 AM on the night of the incident, immediately responding alongside the victim&#x27;s lead organizer to assist.&quot;Walang sinuman ang dapat makaranas ng anumang uri ng pang-aabuso, at umaasa kaming mabigyan ito ng makatarungan at tamang proseso. Handa ang Lauyay tumulong bilang witness kunsakaling kailanganin sa pormal na imbestigasyon,&quot; the group added.To prevent similar incidents, both the LGU and Lauyay confirmed support for strict enforcement of the alcohol ban along regulated park areas, alongside mandatory refresher courses on ethics and gender sensitivity for all accredited guides.

The City Government of Naga has taken swift disciplinary action following an incident at Mt. Isarog Natural Park where a local tour guide allegedly entered a hiker's tent without authorization and subjected them to harassment.

The City Government of Naga has taken swift disciplinary action following an incident at Mt. Isarog Natural Park where a local tour guide allegedly entered a hiker's tent without authorization and subjected them to harassment.