Holy Week in Boracay generally peaceful

The traditional Holy Week observance in Boracay Island has been generally peaceful / PHOTO BOY RYAN ZABAL

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Semana Santa celebration in Boracay Island was generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

To ensure peaceful and safe observance of Holy Week, PNP implemented its holiday security and public safety operation dubbed Oplan Sumvac (Summer Vacation). 

Policemen from Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) also intensified its regular mobile and foot patrol system to ensure peace and order, and public safety for the holiday travelers and tourists.

Police Officer 3 Christopher Mendoza of BTAC Police Community Relations said they put up tourist assistance desks in busy and strategic areas in collaboration with Task Group Boracay-Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine National Red Cross Boracay-Malay chapter to assist tourists.

“During our patrol, tourists are reminded not to leave their valuables in the beach front while they are swimming,” he added.

Personnel of the Bureau of Fire Protection-Boracay also conducted medical assistance and community awareness to travelers and tourists for their "Oplan Semana Santa 2015". Flyers on fire safety and health tips were also distributed to tourists, according to Fire Inspector Stephen Jardeleza. 

Security in Cagban and Caticlan jetty ports were also tightened to ensure the safety of passengers traveling by sea and the seaworthiness of the pumpboats and roll-on, roll-off vessels. 

In Kalibo, no major untoward incidents were reported except for the hacking, vehicular, illegal possession of deadly weapons and salisi incidents during the Holy Week. 

A wanted person from Pavia, Iloilo was also arrested on Maundy Thursday in New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan for the crime of murder. 

On Easter Sunday, fire fighters from BFP-Numancia responded to a fire incident at around 12:40 a.m. that partially destroyed a house in Taft Street, Barangay Poblacion, Makato, Aklan.