PNP to be on full alert ‘if needed’ on Boracay’s reopening

The Philippine National Police (PNP) may be on full alert if needed on the day of Boracay island’s reopening due to the expect tourist influx, chief of PNP-Region 6 Supt. John Bulalacao said on Sunday.

Bulalacao said that the PNP is already on full alert following the attacks happened inside the Boracay island for the previous days.

“Currently naka-full alert na tayo, kung kina-kailangan i-extend hanggang sa pagbukas ng Boracay, gagawin namin iyon,” Bulalacao said in an interview with dzBB.

(Currently, we are already on full alert; if it needs to be extended until the reopening of Boracay, we’ll do that.)

“Marami kasing piyesta na nagaganap dito like Masskara festival at opening ng Boracay, sabay-sabay. Plus ‘yung threat ng insurgency dito sa atin,” he added.

(There will be a lot of fiestas here, like the Masskara festival, so the reopening of Boracay will coincide with that. Plus there is a threat of insurgency here.)

According to Bulalacao, at least 400 police personnel would be deployed in the island once it reopens on October 26 after its six-months closure.

“Four hundred to five hundred personnel roughly dapat ang nakadeploy sa Bora para macontrol ‘yung borders, macontrol namin yung entry and exit points,” Bulalacao said.

(Roughly around 400 to 500 personnel will be deployed in Boracay to control the borders, to control the entry and exit points.)

The whole Boracay island was closed to tourists in April this year for rehabilitation purposes.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said once the Boracay island reopens in October, it would be no long a party place.

READ: Puyat: Boracay no longer a ‘party place’ when it reopens Oct. 26

She also said that drinking and smoking in public places in the island would also be prohibited. /je

READ: No more smoking, drinking at Boracay white beach — Puyat