Boracay reopening peaceful—PNP
BORACAY ISLAND—The Philippine National Police (PNP) considered Thursday’s reopening of this popular beach destination generally peaceful as domestic tourists were allowed to visit after more than six months of travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“There was no major crime incident recorded,” said Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas regional director of Police Regional Office (PRO-6).
“The situation has been very manageable,” added Lt. Col. Jonathan Pablito, chief of police in Malay, the town in Aklan province which has jurisdiction over the island.
Pamuspusan attributed the zero crime incidence on October 1 here to several restrictions, including the prohibition of night clubs and bars to operate. There was no liquor ban in place.
There were also 400 cops deployed to keep the peace and order. These were composed of personnel from Malay Police Station, the Second Aklan Mobile Force, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Maritime Group, and the PNP Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group (EOD/K9 Group).
The police were also backed by 100 beach guards deployed by the Malay local government, under Mayor Frolibar Bautista, to enforce local ordinances including the minimum health standard of wearing face masks and physical distancing.
There were also units of the Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and Red Cross Boracay.
