The Philippines is developing a 2000-strong specially trained police force to look after the security of tourists.
The force was set up following the slaying last August of eight tourists from Hong Kong in a hostage siege in Manila.
The hostage-taker, a dismissed police officer, was killed in the siege.
The elite police force, currently 80 strong, will be expanded and deployed throughout the Philippines’ main tourists destinations.
“They’re already visible on the streets,†said Benito Bengzon, assistant secretary at the Department of Tourism.
The tourism police force will have training in cultural sensitivities and languages.
