ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office-6 is eyeing to declare world-famous Boracay Island in Malay town, Aklan province as a gun-free zone.
POLICE are eyeing world-famous Boracay Island as a gun-free zone. (Malay-Boracay Tourism Office)
“If Boracay is declared as a gun-free zone, it would have a good impression to tourists,” said Police Brig. Gen.Jack Wanky, PRO-6 director.
Wanky disclosed that the proposal was initially presented during the recent fourth quarter meeting of the Western Visayas Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC).
He said Boracay would start the implementation in Western Visayas of the provisions of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, which identifies gun-free zones such as tourist destinations and places of worship.
If it pushes through, the country’s most famous beach destination would bar firearms even to those who have licenses.
Wanky said that even lawmen assigned to Boracay will not carry guns.
The PRO-6 will closely coordinate with the local government unit (LGU) of Malay for the enactment of a local ordinance that would eventually identify Boracay as a gun-free zone.
Wanky also said the proposal for gun-free zones would reduce gun-related violence and eventually shift the police to non-lethal response.