No backing down for West Cove owner, SB Malay declares him ‘persona non grata’

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The owner of  Boracay West Cove seems did not back down after the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) of Malay declared him ‘persona non grata’.

In an interview over Barangay 92.9 Super Radyo Kalibo, Crisostomo 'Cris' Aquino showed his bitterness of the recent embarassment and often touched issues in Boracay Island, saying, “it is unfair to declare him persona non grata.”

Malay councilor Rowen Aguirre filed the municipal council resolution declaring Aquino as ‘persona non grata’ and was unanimously adopted on Tuesday. 

"Pinagtutulungan nila ako na mapaalis sa islang ito at ipahinto ang aking operation (ng Boracay West Cove). Wala akong kakampi dito sa Boracay. Ako ang pinag-iinitan dito," he stressed. 

Aquino further said, “hindi naman ako estapador sa island or drug pusher. Ipagtanong ninyo sa aking kabaranggay, kung meron akong niloko at inagrabyadong tao."

“Ako ay isang investor lang, ever since ay ginigipit nila ako dito. Kaya ito na naman, nagfile sila ng ‘persona non grata’."

Last month, Nenette Aguirre-Graf, barangay captain of Motag, Malay, Aklan and sister of SB member Rowen Aguirre, had an argument with Aquino near Station 1. 

Graf was hurt by what Cris Aquino uttered against her. 

“Bakit ganito ang trato nila sa mga investors. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit galit sila sa akin. Nagkasalubong kami ni (Nenette) Graf sa baybay at sinabi ko sa kanya na anong karapatan niya na husgahan or i-brand niya kami (Boracay West Cove) na mother of all violators," he said.

The luxury resort became controversial for constructing some structures right on top of the natural rock formations and allegedly operating without business, occupancy and building permits.

"Ito ay alitan namin ng kanyang kapatid na si Nenette Graf na palaging nagkokomento sa programa ni Ted Failon, na ako na lamang daw ang hindi nagpapagiba, samantalang tatlong beses na akong nagpagiba sa West Cove,” Aquino said.

Ted Failon is the program host of his public service program Failon Ngayon aired every Saturday at ABS CBN.  

Aquino said he is also a victim of bullying in the island, as a result, he stressed, “mula ng dumating ako sa island, binuhusan na ako ng tubig at pinutulan ng koryente.”

"Ako ay nagnenegosyo lang dito sa Boracay. Ang aking adhikain ay mabigyan ang mga tao. Kahit ayaw kong gawin, nagbawas na ko ng tao after the demolition ng Boracay West Cove, " he said.

Asked what would be his course of action, Aquino said “sa ngayon wala pa akong natatanggap, sasagutin din yan ng aking abogado."

In a later interview of Barangay 92.9 Super Radyo Kalibo,  SB member Aguirre said "there was something wrong with the construction of Boracay West Cove."

The remaining structures build outside the Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes (FLAG-T) were demolished last month.