One entry, one exit makes Boracay a hard target for terrorists – PNP

Kalibo, Aklan –Terrorists will only attack when you least expect it. They attack when the target is soft and vulnerable.

Sr. Police Superintendent Benigno Durana, Aklan Police Provincial Office Provincial Director disclosed this in a press conference recently with the Aklan Police Defense Press Corps. This was PD Durana’s answer to a media man’s question on the implementation of the Human Security Act (RA 9372) and its impact on the protection of Boracay Island from terroristic attacks.

Durana said the PNP employs three steps to implement protective laws – intelligence, investigation and target hardening. In the intelligence aspect, Durana said the PNP collects information to protect Boracay Island and preempt any terroristic activity from happening there. On the other hand, he said investigations involve looking at any information that will cause them to believe that there is a presence of terroristic activities already.

According to Durana, if there are vital installations or areas that can be considered a potential target for terroristic activities, the PNP hardens it to make the area a hard target for terrorists.

“The one entry, one exit policy in Boracay Island is one effort of the provincial government of Aklan to make Boracay a hard target for the terrorists,” Durana said.

Durana also disclosed that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police has created Task Force Boracay to protect the island. There is also the presence of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard, according to him. However, he also emphasized that in risk management, you can never erase or achieve a zero risk – the purpose of the security system is to lessen the risk present, in order to lessen the vulnerability of a potential target.

July 20 is the official launching by Malacanang of the Human Security act, or RA 9372. HAS took effect July 15 but launching was reset in deference to the July 16-17 National Consultative Summit organized by the Supreme Court.

Philippine Information Agency Director General Dodi Limcaoco, who announced the launching, said victims and survivors of terrorist attacks will converge in Malacanang to mark the implementation of the HAS.

Members of Congress and the Senate who were instrumental in passing the law, members of the Anti Terrorism Council, Cabinet secretaries and members of the diplomatic corps are expected to join the launching rites, with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo expected to deliver the keynote message. (PIA/Venus G. Villanueva)