Monday, July 07, 2008 [ manilatimes.net ]
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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