Tourists reminded to take care of belongings while on Boracay Island

[OceanBreezeInn]

BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, March 23 (PNA) - The Boracay Special Tourism Police Office (BSTPO) is reminding foreign and local tourists coming to this resort island to be wary of the Salisi gang.

Police S/Inspt.Rolando Vilar, Boracay police chief said that some members of the Salisi gang are from Metro Manila while the others are locals.

"We are planning to place streamers in strategic locations of Boracay Island to remind tourists to take care of their personal belongings and be vigilant so that they will not be victimized by the syndicate," Vilar said.

It was learned that since November of last year, scores of tourists and even residents have been victimized by the series of robberies on Boracay Island.

Although some of the suspects were arrested, some of the victims were not interested in pursuing a case against them.

Source: pna.gov.ph

Yeap, thats true.. we had guests and cell phone + camera was stolen on the beach within seconds by tricky thiefs.

In places like Boracay, one should be cautious enough to take care of his things because tricky thieves are always on the go.

[OceanBreezeInn]

Looks as if more action is taken:

"BORACAY ISLAND, Aklan, March 25 (PNA) - This resort island is safer compared with previous years, according to Undersecretary Rey Dela Rosa of the Emminent Persons Group (EPG).

"Our declaration of Boracay as a safer destination comes with our anticipation of the influx of tourists this Holy Week," Dela Rosa said during the recent launching of the Boracay Sun, a monthly newspaper published by Hongkong-based publisher Victor Jeffrey and Editor in chief Randy Urlanda

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Boracay Island receives more foreign and local tourists during the Holy Week because of longer holiday break.

Local police committed to deploy police personnel to eight strategic locations in the island to pre-empt possible crime elements of disrupting the safety of tourists.

Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary chief Mike Labatiao said that the Coast Guard would also place a number of buoys and sinkers into the sea to prevent motorized banca from encroaching near the beach area.

"This is to avoid tourists from getting hurt from sea traffic accidents," Labatiao said

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa also presented a plaque of appreciation to outgoing Coast Guard station commander Godofredo Vagilidad for spearheading the successful lobby to Malacanang to allow boats to transport tourists during typhoon Signal Number 1."

[OceanBreezeInn]

Salisi gang members nabbed in Boracay


Six members of the Salisi Gang operating in Boracay Island were neutralized by operatives of Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office (BSTPO) on Maundy Thursday morning.
Inspector Renante Matillano, chief of investigation and intelligence, said BSTPO operatives collared the suspects identified as Ryan Capuno, 26, resident of Taguig, Bicutan City; Eddierick Bechayda, 28, of Caliraya Street, Quezon City and Rachelle Ann Recaña, 21; Juanito Villarico, 26 and Anita Esperanza, 22, all claimed to be residents of Makati City.
“The suspects had been placed under surveillance for three days. A police operative acted as their victim which led to the arrest of the suspects while they try to victimize him,” the police official said.
Matillano said plain clothes barangay tanods and BSTPO intelligence operatives apprehended the suspects at a popular resort near D’Mall D’Boracay in Barangay Balabag. A follow up operation of the police resulted to the arrest of their female companions at their boarding house located at Sitio Lugotan in Barangay Manoc-Manoc at around 3 a.m.
Another suspect Gener Manebo, 28, resident of Cawayanan Street, Makati City was arrested in separate police operation near the Caticlan jetty port but three alleged Salisi gang members eluded arrest and fled away towards the capital town of Kalibo.
Matillano said the police has intensified foot patrols and maximum visibility of force multipliers to secure tourists staying in the island from alleged members of Salisi gang and other criminals during the observance of Holy Week.
“They (salisi gang members) distracted their victims by asking the tourist to take pictures of them and once their cohorts get a chance, they would steal or pick the valuables left in the table, mostly cell phones and cameras. The culprits normally befriend their target victims before they steal whatever valuables,” he added.
PO2 Christopher Mendoza of the Police Community Relations (PCR) section said Kabayan Action Group-Boracay, Kabalikat Civicom 961-Boracay, Balabag and Manoc-Manoc barangay tanods and the Municipal Auxiliary Police-Boracay also assisted the BSTPO in the arrest of the suspects.
Authorities recovered several mobile phones, perfumes, cameras, sunglasses, bags and cash of various denominations believed were stolen from their victims.
The suspects are now under the custody of the BSTPO. The police urged the victims to come to BSTPO to positively identify the suspects and for the filing of appropriate criminal charges against them.
Meanwhile, four Salisi gang members from Metro Manila underwent inquest proceedings before the Aklan Prosecutor’s Office after they were arrested by BSTPO last week.


Source: Aklanforum Blog