[ journal.com.ph ] March 14, 2008
By: Raul S. Beltran
TWO lawmakers yesterday urged police authorities to tighten the security on Boracay island, where thousands of international and foreign tourists have begun to descend following the advent of the dry season.
More so, according to Representatives Eleandro Jesus Madrona (Lakas, Romblon) and Florencio “Joeben” Miraflores (KAMPI, Aklan), that the world-famous island resort is also reportedly being frequented by suspected terrorists.
Madrona, an executive of a shipping company that plies the Manila-Romblon-Caticlan (Aklan) route, said he was disturbed by reports that two suspected terrorists, including a foreigner with alleged ties to the Jemaah Islamiyah, were arrested recently by Philippine authorities.
But Madrona, chairman of the House committee on ethics, also lauded the authorities for “pre-empting what could be possibly illegal acts” following the arrest of the two suspects, one of whom is a Filipino with alleged ties to the Abu Sayaff group.
The two congressmen raised the possibility that the two suspects, who are reportedly in the custody of Philippine intelligence authorities, “were casing” Boracay, where hundreds, if not thousands of foreigners, continue to arrive in big groups.
“The reported arrest of the two suspects could have prevented what could have been a terrorist act similar to what happened in Dos Palmas a few years ago,” Madrona said, citing the raid by Abu Sayaff terrorist on the upscale Palawan resort where they abducted several persons, including three Americans and other foreigners.
The terrorists later beheaded American Guillermo Sobero but released the other foreigners following the payment of ransom amounting to several millions of dollars to the Abu Sayyaf group.
American missionary Gracia Burnham was later rescued but her husband, Martin Burnham, was killed in the ensuing military operations.
“We are glad that these suspected terrorists were apprehended before they could conduct illegal acts that could shame the Philippines again before the international community,” Madrona added.
Meanwhile, Miraflores, whose constituency includes Boracay, said the authorities should not only double but “triple” their efforts in providing security in the island resort.
Miraflores said tourism industry, which is among the country’s top dollar earners, will greatly suffer if “anything untoward happens” in Boracay.
The two lawmakers also urged the authorities to conduct stricter security measures on the RORO (roll on-roll off) vessels that ferry passengers and vehicles between Caticlan and Roxas, Oriental Mindoro.
The congressmen made the call in reaction to reports on the laxity of security personnel in the two ports that serve as the link of people who bring their vehicles in going to Boracay.
