Boracay security remains high despite ‘enhanced’ police protocols

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Police Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay, Jr. of Metro Boracay Police Task Force (MBPTF) reminded the public of the ‘enhanced’ security protocols in the ongoing rehabilitation in Boracay Island.

PHOTO  BORACAY PNP

The Boracay Security Committee (BSC) requires the submission of requests three days before the date of entry to give ample time to take necessary actions.

“Walang halos nabago sa protocols natin. Ito ay in effect habang may rehabilitasyon sa Boracay,” Cambay added.

Aklanons who are non-residents must have also a valid purpose to enter Boracay Island.

The requests must be received by BSC members through the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) operations center in Tabon port or Caticlan port on weekdays and through MBPTF on weekends.

The requests must specify the purpose, activities, date of entry and exit, venue, names and contact numbers of people coming in.

For one-day transactional requests, the designated focal persons composing the BSC on duty at Caticlan port or Tabon port in mainland Malay, Aklan will immediately act upon their requests.

Cambay, also the deputy police director of Police Regional Office-6, said non-residents could visit their sick or dead family members and relatives or even their properties in Boracay subject to safety concerns.

“Magdala sila ng valid IDs na taga-ibang lugar sila at sulat-imbitasyon mula sa kanilang mga relatives. Titingnan din natin ang security concerns nila kung ang areas na bibisitahin ay may massive rehabilitation. Basta hindi tourism-related tulad ng paliligo sa mga swimming areas at magbisita sa mga lugar sa Boracay,” he added

The police official stressed that “for exceptional cases, the requests should be forwarded through the fastest means of communications.”

“Kasama dito ang mga urgent requests nila for rehabilitation or construction or in personal basis tulad ng emergencies sa pamilya. They are still required to submit a letter request to us,” Cambay added.

Cambay said the police officers are well aware of the ‘new’ security protocols in Caticlan port or Tabon port.

Last week, the security protocols were reviewed by the Boracay inter-agency task force and BSC during a meeting with the national government agencies involved in rehabilitation.

Boracay Island is expected to open on October 26 after President Rodrigo Duterte temporarily shutdown the island to tourists on April 26.