Heightened alert for Boracay Island
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

POLICE ON ALERT. Acting police director Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. urged the local police to secure tourists and residents staying in the island of Boracay to observe the Holy Week (ACMagno)

BORACAY – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is on heightened alert to ensure public safety and security during the Holy Week, said Senior Supt. Benigno Durana Jr., acting Aklan police director.
Durana said those going to the famous resort island of Boracay are secure while enjoying the Lenten Holiday as security measures at the Caticlan airport and Caticlan jetty port are strictly enforced.
To ensure a safe observance of the Holy Week in Boracay for the long holiday break, the PNP has set up public assistance centers and provided route security in the highways of the province leading to the popular vacation destination.
Boracay Island is the favorite hideaway of thousands of local and foreign tourists, mostly Westerners and Koreans, to enjoy the pristine white sand beaches and nightlife.
The PNP is also closely coordinating with Task Force Boracay in the implementation of the one-entry one-exit in Cagban Jetty Port and more uniformed personnel to secure strategic areas in the island, Durana said.
Durana has also directed the police chiefs in 17 towns to establish checkpoints to prevent related incidents and to intensify police visibility and thwart the activities of criminals. The Commission on Elections (Comelec) is also urging the candidates to observe the campaign ban on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday or face disqualification.
While the Armed Forces of the Philippines is considering raising the alert level during the Lenten break, the PNP remains on heightened alert, with no plans of declaring a full one, authorities said Wednesday.
Both AFP Chief Hermogenes Esperon Jr. and Deputy Director General Avelino Razon Jr. of the PNP said there were no terror threats.
Workers will have a five-day holiday starting Holy Thursday until Monday, April 9, Araw ng Kagitingan.
Heightened alert, the second highest in a three-step warning system, means that half of the 118,000-strong police force must remain at their posts at all times. Several policemen have been deployed in key areas such as the bus terminals, beach resorts, and churches, where Catholics would be expected to spend the Holy Week.
"Everything is under control and there is no apparent terror threat," said Razon, deputy chief for administration, said.
Lieutenant Colonel Bartolome Bacarro, military spokesman, remained cautious, saying, "Anything can happen. That's why we're studying the situation … If warranted, we will raise (the alert)," he said.