By Aaron Recuenco
Police have arrested a foreign businessman for assaulting a civilian law enforcer who warned him against smoking in public places in Boracay.
Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, director of the Western Visayas regional police, said his men have already filed a case of Direct Assault Upon Agent of Authority against the suspect identified as Dennis Chiong.
Chiong, 50, is the owner of Performance Travelling Agency and currently staying in Barangay Balabag in Boracay Island. Police said he was a foreign national.
Pamuspusan said members of the Malay Police Auxiliary (MAP) were conducting routine patrol in Boracay when they spotted Chiong smoking in a public place.
MAP member Noli Cuatriz approached Chiong to warn him about an existing ordinance against smoking in public. But instead of discarding of his cigarette, the foreigner threw it at the face of Cuatriz.
Police immediately responded and arrested Chiong.
The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment and medical examination.
Reports of unruly behavior of foreigners in Boracay have been increasing in the past months.
Recently, a portion of a Boracay beach was closed after a foreign woman had her child defecate on the shoreline of Boracay.
As preventive measures, the Western Visayas regional police leadership ordered frequent patrols in the area with the help of civilian law enforcement groups.