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Friday, May 12, 2017
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BORACAY – Is the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center — the island police — not enough to secure tourists in the island?
The local government of Malay considers activating a local task force that will “improve” security in Boracay in light of recent travel warnings in another tourist destination in the Philippines.
“The primary purpose of the task force is to provide security and to assure that the island is free from any outside threats and terror acts,” said Executive Assistant Rowen Aguirre, island administrator.
Joint Task Force Boracay will work under the Municipal Peace and Order Council led by Mayor Ceciron Cawaling as chairman.
The task force is needed to protect Boracay from the “negative ripple effect” the travel warnings may have, Aguirre said.
Embassies of the United States, Canada and United Kingdom issued travel warnings to their citizens headed to Palawan.
They were concerned that the travel warning will cause “big losses” in tourism market.
“This is a cause of concern for all of us,” especially that businesses may be affected, he said.
The multi-sector task force will comprise different government agencies and local security groups, said Aguirre.
Maritime security will also be a “priority” of the task force.
Two Philippine Navy boats were currently patrolling Boracay waters. Personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office were doing the same.
Aguirre clarified that there is no security threat in Boracay. Still, he urged the locals to help protect the island.
“The community and the people are the best protection,” he said as he encouraged them to inform the authorities of any suspicious activity. (With Philippine News Agency/PN)
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