ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office 6 (Western Visayas) deployed on Saturday a total of 139 rookie policemen to Boracay in Malay, Aklan in preparation for the closure and six-month rehabilitation of the island starting April 26.
PRO-6 spokesperson, Chief Insp. Joem Malong, said the augmentation force has been tasked to provide security and maintain peace and order in the island while rehabilitation works are underway.
Malong said these policemen, with a rank of Police Officer 1, have just completed their training on Civil Disturbance Management.
She noted that the peace and order situation in Boracay is still manageable.
“There has been no riot or rally in the area. But the Police Regional Office 6 would like to inform you that we are prepared for whatever happens during the closure or rehabilitation of Boracay,” she added.
PRO-6 might send more forces to the island depending on the situation in the area, “just in case the situation there escalates,” Malong said.
There is no exact date for the duration of the present augmentation force, “maybe as long as the rehabilitation effort is still ongoing,” she added.
The Metro Boracay Task Force with 169 personnel and the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center with 95 members are responsible for security in the island. (PNA)
