Boracay security forces to show off readiness before island’s re-opening

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and other task forces will demonstrate their capabilities to respond to security threats and emergency situations ahead of Boracay re-opening.

PHOTO Boracay  PNP

The capability demonstration on October 25 will be attended by PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde and Police Regional Office (PRO-6) Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao.

“We want to ensure the public, residents and the tourists are safe once Boracay Island re-opens,” said Superintendent Joem Malong, spokesperson of PRO-6.

Boracay Island soft opening is scheduled on October 26 after it was closed for six months to give way to its rehabilitation due to environmental concerns.

Malong said the capability demonstration will also gauge the readiness of Metro Boracay Police Task Force (MBPTF) as they show off their skills to secure Boracay Island and nearby islands.

PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard, rescue volunteers from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), Philippine Navy, Malay Police Station and members of the Explosives Ordnance Division (EOD) K-9 units are expected to participate in the capability demonstration.

Thirty-eight Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) graduates of Class 2018 “Asintado” will also reinforce the readiness of task forces in curbing criminality and terrorism in Aklan and Boracay Island.

SWAT recruits underwent a 45-day training course in Nabas, Aklan since September to enhance their operational capability and efficiency. On October 24, the PNP elite SWAT teams were activated by Bulalacao and PRO-6 deputy regional director for operations Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay, Jr. after their graduation ceremonies.

Around 600 police officers were also trained on Tourist-Oriented Policing on Community Order and Protection (Topcop) seminar from October 22 to 25 in Boracay Island with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The PNP also launched the Kaligtasan at Kalikasan “Kaligkasan” program on October 19 in partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).