DAVAO CITY—Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo visited the Roxas Night Market on Saturday night for the first time since the deadly September blasts to pay her respects to the victims.
Teo and other tourism officials each offered a rose at the memorial mounted at the market for the 15 persons who were killed.
“I felt sad that this happened, but now it has improved, everything is back to normal and we invite everyone to come here to see that Davao is still safe,” Teo told reporters.
Since the blast, law enforcement authorities have bolstered security efforts especially in urban centers here for other possible terroristic attempts.
Military, police and volunteers are now stationed at the market’s entrances and exits to inspect bags.
It was business as usual at the night market, which is popular among locals and tourists alike for its cheap food, clothes, massage services and the like.
Local masseuses admitted that although they were initially afraid to resume their work after the bloody attack, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio assured them that authorities would keep them safe.
Some vendors said that despite their fears, they knew they needed to return to work to earn a living for their families.
Teo later toured the 300-meter stretch of the market for durian ice cream, and reassured visitors that terrorism should not deter people from doing normal activities.