'High' crime volume hits ‘new’ Boracay

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Authorities in Boracay Island recorded 53 cases of index and non-index crimes from October 26 to November 11 this year.

The increasing number of crime incidents is expected with the influx of tourists in the island after it re-opened on October 26. Boracay was temporarily closed to tourists on April 26 due to environmental woes.

The first week of Boracay re-opening hit crime volume of eight cases compared to 13 cases from November 1 to 11. These cases were reported before the Malay municipal police station in the island.

The three barangays – Yapak, Manoc-Manoc and Balabag also handled 31 cases while other law enforcement units has one case for the period October 26 to November 11. 

Twelve cases of index crimes on theft, physical injuries and robbery while nine non-index crimes involving direct assault, unjust vexation, other deceits and malicious mischiefs were also reported during the period.

Of the three barangays, Balabag has the most number of focus crimes with nine compared to Manoc Manoc with three.

Cagban, Bantud, Puka Beach, Angol, Caticlan and Bulabog, among others, were also identified as ‘hotspot areas’ in the island by the police.

Foot and mobile patrols are deployed to reduce the prevalence of crimes in the critical areas.

Currently, Malay municipal police station has five police sub-stations in three barangays and a mobile patrol unit with total strength of 213 personnel based on its integrated patrol deployment plan.

Force multipliers augmenting the local police are Malay Auxiliary Police, barangay tanods, Kabalikat Civicom, Salaam Police, PARDDS International, Kabayan, Samahan ng mg Visaya, PARDDS Anti-Crime and Philippine Guardians Brotherhood, Inc.