PNP gears up for expected rise in crime incidents in Boracay »Manila Bulletin News

By Martin Sadongdong

After the reopening of Boracay, crime incidents are expected to rise in the Philippines because the Philippine National Police (PNP) has reiterated that they are prepared to secure the visitors and locals in the area.

Port data shows that a total of 3,068 tourists flocked to Boracay Island when the country's most popular destination reopened Friday after a six-month closure. (Tara Yap / MANILA BULLETIN)

"With the influx of tourists in the area, we will be expecting more human activities and therefore, the crime incidents will also go up," said Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, regional director of Western Visayas Regional Police Office (PRO-6).

When Boracay was closed to visitors on April 26, 2018 for rehabilitation, the police had observed a steady decrease in the number of crime occurrences.

The PNP's Metro Boracay Task Force recorded a total of 11 crimes from April 26 to May 25, an 88.84-percent decrease compared to the same period in 2017. Further, only four crimes were tallied from May 26 to June 25; and three crimes from June 26 to July 25.

According to police, crimes often committed in the island before the physical injury, qualified theft and reckless recklessness. Most of the crimes were committed to fights, police added.

Potential target

Boracay has been famous for a lot of reasons, from its white sand beach, happy activities, food, and hospitable residents. But with the reopening, Bulalacao

"Since this becomes an attractive area for ISIS (Islamic State), we do not want to be alarmists, but we are preparing for possible incident involving terrorism," he explained.

This is the reason why Bulalacao said they are strengthening intelligence gathering and cooperation in the region, especially in Boracay.

At present, the Western Visayas regional police have said that they will not be complacent.

Earlier, Bulalacao said more than 400 cops were tasked to secure Boracay Island. This is an increase in strength from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and other volunteer groups.