By: CECÍLIA PIRES
FARO’S NEW Civil Governor has told The Resident she was deeply affected by the news of the disappearance of Madeleine McCann from a holiday apartment at Praia da Luz last month.
Speaking this week, Isilda Gomes expressed her compassion for the family and said she has no concerns about the future relationship between the Portuguese and the English people in the Algarve.
“I do not think this case has had a negative impact on the two communities or the future of tourism to the Algarve region,” she said. “We’re all sad about it, but it’s an isolated case that no one could predict, and we hope it stays that way.”
Commenting on the international kidnapping and abduction figures, Isilda Gomes said the figures for Portugal “are almost insignificant.”
This, she said, does not reflect on any lack of experience by the police. “Our police forces and people in general, are very much motivated by these issues.”
“The Portuguese police are making all efforts to rapidly solve the case,” she said, criticising those who have tried to destroy the police’s image, adding, “It’s not acceptable.”
She does, however, concede that this could be “an opportunity to analyse security systems” and procedures currently existing in resorts in the region.
Click on the web link on the right to read the interview with Isilda Gomes.
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