Police brace for Boracay’s reopening to other local tourists

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has started to modify its security arrangements in the world-renowned Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan.

Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said on Monday that police regional command is getting ready for the reopening of Boracay Island to local tourists from other regions.

Malong said it is PRO-6’s way of standing by the government as the Filipino people are trying to bounce back from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Pending the approval of the request of the local government of Aklan and the Boracay Inter-Agency Task Force (BIATF) to the Regional Task Force COVID that will approve and issue the specific guidelines for the reopening,” she said.

Malong said that PRO-6, together with the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO) and Police Station are now initiating activities such as simulation exercises (SIMEX) and communication exercises relative to the smooth opening of the island.

Boracay Island reopened its door to tourists who are residents of Western Visayas only on June 16, 2020.

The Malay LGU and local police both combined health and security concerns for their preparations.

Acting Mayor Frolibar Bautista of Malay, Aklan earlier said they have set up an operation center for the purpose.

This included the preparedness of medical facilities in the island, Bautista said they have two hospitals – the St. Gabriel Medical Center – Boracay and the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital.

St. Gabriel is a private facility while the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital is government-run and has a 30-bed capacity.

Bautista said the June 16 reopening was a chance for them to assess the situation before they would cater to other local tourists outside of Western Visayas.