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BORACAY ISLAND: Retired Police Gen. Virtus Gil, secretary for
Boracay affairs, bared a proposal to make this island resort
gun-free, reported Panay News.
Under the scheme, security guards will be barred
from possessing firearms.
Security guards figured in several shooting
incidents here, mostly triggered by land disputes.
“A gun-free Boracay is the only way I know to
ensure peace and order in this resort island. Land dispute cases are
a major concern. I am waiting for Philippine National Police (PNP)
Director Gen. Avelino Razon to comment on this,” Gil said.
With Gil’s proposal, law enforcers such as the
PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are the only people
allowed to have firearms in Boracay.
Two land disputes shattered the relative peace
enjoyed by tourists in this paradise island, with two separate
shooting incidents forcing the police to declare a “full red
alert” in January.
The two successive shooting incidents Sunday
morning of January 13 and Monday afternoon of January 14—where one
died and two others were injured—were just among the many negative
publicities this top tourist destination has been getting, fanning
fears of a possible economic backlash.
Early this month, another land-related shooting
incident occurred.
Despite the apprehensions of the former police
officer, the island resort is back to normal, the Department of
Tourism (DOT) said after the holiday hot spot was recently affected
by Typhoon Frank.
The DOT further advised stakeholders to continue
promoting the destination to the international outbound travel
market, assuring that the island’s travel facilities are
operational.
“Boracay Island is back on its feet after the
typhoon and is ready to welcome all visitors,” said Tourism
Secretary Ace Durano after an inspection of tourism infrastructures
in Aklan province.
He said the town of Kalibo and Caticlan in
Malay, the two major gateways to Boracay, sustained minimal damage
and are fast recovering.
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