PNP to implement ‘maximum contingency’ for Boracay closure

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine National Police will employ 'maximum contingency' to secure Boracay island during its six-month closure for rehabilitation.

At a press briefing on Monday, PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said more than 400 policemen will be deployed on the world-famous island.

Albayalde said Chief Superintendent Cesar Binag, regional director for the Western Visayas, will be tasked with watching over his officers and have full control of the supervision. He will be held responsible and accountable in misdeeds on Boracay.

“We will monitor that (Boracay situation) 24 hours a day. We will be implementing it on the 26th,” Albayalde said.

On Tuesday, police conducted exercises simulating clashes with protesters, terrorist attacks and a hostage incident even as they said there was no specific threat. 

Some residents were surprised with the simulation exercise and the found the presence of hundreds of policemen “excessive” since there is no sign of actual resistance to the closure order, which, as of Wednesday evening, remained a verbal one from President Rodrigo Duterte.

"I think it's excessive. Why does Boracay have so many policemen?" tour promoter Jessie Ibon told AFP.

"It might scare the tourists, seeing soldiers with long firearms," Ibon added. 

Albayalde earlier said the police force expects less resistance since workers and some residents of Boracay have already moved to other places like Batangas.

Despite this, the police chief said they will implement maximum tolerance against possible protesters.

"In any plan, we need maximum contingency. We will have an assessment if we need to add or reduce our forces but we now have enough forces," local police official Jesus Cambay told AFP. 

Boracay will be closed to tourists starting Thursday. The shutdown would take effect for six months upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate the island. —With reports from AFP/Ayee Macaraig