Boracay tourists make false police reports too

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
 

Some tourists tend to take advantage by making false reports about lost belongings and valuables while on holiday in Boracay Island. 

Filing a false police report is often attempted by travelers to defraud their insurance companies back home. 

Tourists make insurance reimbursement from insurers in abroad if they secure certification from the local police for loss of any their valuables, baggage and personal effects. 

“May mga turistang nagpapablotter na tinakawan sila tapos hihingi ng kopya ng police blotter. Pero ingat na ngayon ang mga pulis, iniimbistigahan muna nila bago bigyan ang turista ng blotter report,” said Artemio Ticar, officer-in-charge of Department of Tourism (DoT) Boracay. 

Ticar said these false incidents were not new to officers of Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC).

There were tourists reportedly filed false police reports that they were robbed or their valuables were stolen from their hotel rooms. 

But after investigating the claims of tourists, the police officers noted inconsistencies in their stories. The police began to suspect that the robbery was fabricated.  

They found no evidence that it actually took place in their hotels. 

“Pag na-verify ng pulis na walang basehan ang complaint ng mga guests, hindi naman nila binibigyan ng police blotter ang mga turista,” Ticar said.

Boracay Island has seen an increase in petty crimes such as theft, snatching, robbery and pick pocketing.  Tourists have been the prime targets for many years, and continue to be victimized.

In some countries, tourists filing a fabricated police reports or pretending that their personal belongings were stolen are treated seriously and could result in severe penalties.