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Sunday, May 21, 2017
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BORACAY – Simulations of a kidnapping, bomb attack and terror attack were held yesterday morning on the beach of this world-famous island resort.
These were in line with the activation of Joint Task Force Boracay of the local government of Malay and the Maritime Joint Task Force “Area Shield” Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The activation of the local task force aimed to strengthen the capability of the local government of Malay in detecting, preventing and neutralizing security threat in Boracay and the municipality of Malay.
Task Force head Rowen Aguirre said the activation was just the start of the many activities the multi-agency body would conduct as part of preparations for security threats inside and outside of the island.
More meetings would be conducted to coordinate all involved agencies and create contingency plans for all eventualities, said Aguirre.
As part of the simulation exercise, members of the task group showed how to respond in a scenario where eight people posing as tourists were able to enter Boracay with plans to kidnap a foreigner and demand a ransom.
The task force demonstrated how to respond to threats within the three rings of security of Boracay – within the island, in its coastal waters and on its neighboring areas.
As part of the demonstration, exchange of gunfire happened between the “attackers” and the authorities. Bomb disposal experts also successfully detonated a bomb while medical teams responded to “wounded” persons.
The Boracay task force is composed of members of the local Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Group, Philippine Navy, Philippine Army, and Bureau of Fire Protection, among others.
The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Malay Auxiliary Police of the local government of Malay will also be part of the task force and the response group Boracay Fire Rescue & Ambulance Volunteers (BFRAV).
Meanwhile, Boracay is a priority site of the newly activated-Maritime Joint Task Force “Area Shield” as well, according to Brigadier General Jon Aying, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Aying said the Maritime Joint Task Force (MJTF) would secure all the maritime waters and coastlines, and even hinterlands in the region from all threats of terrorism.
“We do not want what happened in Bohol to happen in Boracay,” Aying stressed.
Boracay will be under the Task Force Protect of the MJTF while areas in Region 7 will be under Task Force Deter.
Philippine Navy Chief Ronald Joseph Mercado meanwhile said the activation of both task forces was to “discourage the conduct of any illegal activities in Boracay and its nearby areas.
“The reason we launched this security apparatus is primarily to ensure that we here have a solid security system and deterrence posture in place,” he stressed. (PNA/PN)
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