PNP to deploy 400 cops, add’l equipment in Boracay as it reopens

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said on Thursday that police patrolling Boracay island would increase from 200 to 400 officers once it reopens.

“‘Yung personnel, mahigit 400 na ang naka-assign dito; before, it’s only 200 mahigit ang alam ko eh.  Now it’s a little less than 500 ang naka-assign,” Albayalde told reports during the PNP’s presentation of its security capability in Boracay.

According to the PNP chief, the heightened security measures were also conducted as secretaries and dignitaries are expected to attend the famed tourist spot’s reopening on Friday.

However, the increase in manpower and additional equipment provided to safeguard Boracay would remain even after the formal opening of the island.

“We have to enhance our security, that’s just part of our security preparations.  After this mag-normalize naman ‘yon (situation),” Albayalde said.

“But with regards to manpower, dinagdagan na natin.  Even the vehicles, we provided two additional brand new vehicles only for this island, coming from the national headquarters […] Fixed na ‘yan, isa ‘yan sa binago nating re-organization dito.  ‘Yon na ang magiging strength natin dito,” he added.

Earlier, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) Director C/Supt. John Bulalacao said that they are including counter-terrorism measures as a part of their preparation for Boracay’s re-opening.

READ:  PNP includes counter-terrorism efforts in Boracay reopening

In April 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay — which he called a ‘cesspool’ — to give way for its rehabilitation.  Six months after the closure, the island would be opened for visitors again, although for a limited number of tourists only.

Duterte formed an inter-agency task force consisting of the Environment, Interior, and Tourism secretaries, which implemented stricter rules on establishments, hotels, and restaurants operating within the island. /je