ILOILO City – Drug traffickers may again return to the newly reopened Boracay Island and this worries the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6). It tasked its Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) to shield the world-famous tourist destination from identified drug groups and personalities.
Boracay reopened to tourism activities on Oct. 26 after six months of massive cleanup.
It could attract drug groups whose operations in other areas were adversely affected by relentless antidrug operations of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, said RDEU chief Senior Inspector Kennith Bermejo.
He cited as example the Prevendido drug group based in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao district here. Leader Richard Prevendido died in a police operation in September 2017 but he still has a lot of underlings, he said.
Information reached the RDEU that the Prevendido drug group kept on recruiting new members the police were not familiar with.
“This is our focus. We expect them to operate in Boracay,” said Bermejo.
He cited another unnamed drug group based in Capiz. It could be recruiting new members residing in Boracay or have contacts in the resort island, he said.
Increased human activities due to the return of tourists in Boracay Island resort could mean a surge in illegal activities.
“Inaasahan naman ‘yan,” said Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, Western Visayas police director.
When Boracay was closed in April, 667 policemen, 19 Philippine Army soldiers, 59 coastguards, 28 Bureau of Fire Protection personnel, and 64 Philippine Navy troops were posted in the island.
There would be no pullout of policemen now that Boracay has opened.
Prior to Boracay’s closure, the island had a regular police force of some 200 personnel. Four hundred were added during the six-month closure to ensure peace and order.
“Along with the rebirth of Boracay, we are proud to showcase a completely overhauled security system and peace and order program that address perennial issues and concerns prior to the island’s closure,” said Director General Oscar Albayalde of the Philippine National Police on Oct. 26.
The main police station in mainland Malay, Aklan – which has jurisdiction over Boracay – has been transferred to the island.
Also, there are now five police substations across Boracay./PN
