2011 was tough but a more challenging year for Boracay Special Tourist Police Office... But what is it that makes for a more tough and challenging year? What are the controversies/problems that were faced and became a challenge to its administration that affect not only the PNP organization but also the Boracay Community? These are the undying problem on land disputes; reports involving commercial sex workers, lady boys (gay prostitutes) and minors, noise pollution coming from the various disco/videoke bars, unruly tourists, robbery/theft cases, reports on ambulant vendors/boatmen/tourist guides/commissioners and so with the security guards and tricycle/motorcycle drivers and the most controversial was sudden relieved of office of PSUPT SAMUEL C NACION as BSTPO Chief. The whole of Boracay Community felt sad because he was relieved and that prompted the PCCI-Boracay and BFI, the religious sector, the Local Government Unit of Malay, the Provincial Government of Aklan, to unite and file a petition letter with one common goal: “Asking for his retention as BSTPO’s Chief”. It was also in the same year that the BSTPO Head of Office was terminated and changed to another officer 6 times whereas others stayed for few months, others became a BSTPO Chief for only a couple of days while one lasts for only 30 minutes. Outlandish, indeed - but that is the reality. All of these indicents did not become a barrier but a form of motivation and inspiration to the various accomplishments both in the administrative and the operational aspects that the BSTPO has achieved.

The BSTPO’s inexorable campaign against lawlessness with the untiring support of its force multipliers and friendly forces (the KABAYAN Action Group, KABALIKAT Civicom 961-Boracay, Malay Auxiliary Police-Boracay, Boracay Neighborhood Watch, SALAAM Police Volunteers, Tanod members of Barangay Yapak, Balabag and Manoc-Manoc, Task Group Boracay-Philippine Army, Philippine Coast Guard Boracay, and its Auxiliary, PNP Maritime Group-Boracay) has resulted to the arrest of 14 persons for violation of RA9165, otherwise known as “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, 15 suspects for the RA9262 “Anti Violence Against Women and their Children”, 5 for BP6 “Illegal Possession of Deadly Weapon”, 10 suspects were apprehended for violating RA7610 “Anti-Child Abuse Act” and 5 for the crime of “Illegal Possession of Firearms and Ammunition” under RA8294. Jay-R Taunan, a member of the infamous “Trese Hudas Gang” that has operated here for several years on the Island of Boracay and who are involved on the series of snatching, robbery and “akyat-bahay” incidents was arrested for the Crime of Car-napping while five wanted persons with warrant of arrest facing different criminal charges were arrested including William Preston Strong, an American National with an FBI Red Notice for Alleged Conspiracy, Fraud and setting up a gang in Brazil. Seven robbers were also arrested including a member of Antique Salisi Gang, Gerald Eugenio a.k.a “Marco” who victimized Ms Katya Santos of the defunct Viva Hot Babes was apprehended at Manoc-Manoc Cargo Port. While several other persons including 6 foreign nationals were also arrested for the crimes of assault upon an agent of person in authority, alarm and scandal, homicide, acts of lasciviousness, serious physical injury, frustrated homicide, rape, adultery, attempted murder, rape with frustrated homicide, theft/qualified theft and others including the infamous Gene Mobo for the crimes of ‘estafa’, Using Fictitious Name & Concealing True Name (3 counts), and Theft (2 counts).

The BSTPO has mediated and found the best way to solve problems on land disputes, and these issues will now be properly addressed to avoid any future bloodshed. In this year alone, a total of four land dispute cases were noticed, including: Tirol vs Brent School in Sitio Pinaungon (June 2011), Tiaga vs Sacapaño also in Sitio Pinaungon (July 2011), Tirol vs Umambong in Sitio Lapus-lapus (September 2011) and Crown Regency vs Gelito in Laguna de Boracay (November 2011).

The BSTPO was also able to prepare and provide security and order assistance to the various international, national and local events being held in this world-renown resort destination to guarantee the safety and protection of all the people involved; including events such as the 2011 Holy Week Celebration followed by the 5th Boracay International Dragon Boat Festival in April 2011 and the visit of President Noynoy Aquino in June 2011. In September 2011, we had the 2nd Expert’s Meeting to Study the Feasibility of Developing an ASEAN Convention on Trafficking in Persons attended by diplomats and ambassadors of ASEAN Countries held at Discovery Shores-Boracay and the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation and World Franchise Council participated by owners of international traveling agency, tourist guides and agents from different parts of the globe held at Sea Wind Beach Resort. And before the year end, the Boracay Island Global Media Convention, Global Media Forum and the 16th National Press Congress attended by more than a hundred journalists and media related practitioners coming from local, national and some international media organized by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts/National Committee on Communication in partnership with the Municipality of Malay held at Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center.

In March of 2011, the First Phase of the Tourism Awareness Seminar for National Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) participated by 57 PNP personnel coming from three police stations of Boracay Special Tourist Police Office, Kalibo Police Station and Malay Police Station and four participants from the Municipal Auxiliary Police of Malay was conducted at the Corporate Function Room of La Carmela de Boracay Hotel while the second phase was conducted in the month of September at Willy’s Beach Club Hotel-Boracay.

In April of 2011, 1997 Dangal ng Bayan Awardee Police Superintendent SAMUEL C NACION from Miagao, Iloilo, assumed his office as the 12th Chief of Police of the BSTPO since it was inaugurated in September of 2005 replacing PSUPT ROLANDO R. VILAR. His administration gained a lot of support from the Boracay stakeholders (both in the government and business communities). He created and authored the action plan of the Boracay Action Group (BAG), a group which will ensure peace and security of the tourists, stakeholders and the whole community. This anti-criminality group is composed of the BSTPO and its friendly forces, the Task Group-Boracay (Philippine Army), Philippine Coast Guard-Boracay, PNP Maritime Group-Boracay, Boracay Special Fire Protection Unit with its force multipliers, Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary-Boracay, Municipal Auxiliary Police-Boracay, Barangay Tanods (Yapak, Balabag and Manoc-Manoc), Boracay Security Agency Organization (BSAO), Volunteer Anti Crime Organizations (KABAYAN Action Group-Boracay, KABALIKAT Civicom-961 Boracay, Boracay Neighborhood Watch and Boracay Salaam Police Volunteers), Philippine Red Cross-Boracay; the business sectors like Boracay Foundation, Incorporated, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Boracay, Rotary Club of Boracay-International, Kiwanis Club of Boracay-International and the Local Government Unit of Malay. Based on the Comparative Crime Volume for Index Crimes (Jan 1 to Nov 30, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2010), there was a significant decrease of 44.44% or a total of 675 incidents were reported in 2010 compared to only 300 incidents in 2011. Theft with a total of 403 reported incidents in 2010 while in 2011, only 157 were reported. Physical injuries that transpired in disco bars, a total of 227 in 2010 and only 75 incidents were reported and recorded in BSTPO Police Blotter. Other cases are rape, robbery, car-napping and homicide. A week before he was relieved, PSUPT Nacion also authored the Master Plan of Boracay Risk Reduction and Management Council Action Plan which was made purposely to provide guidelines regarding the courses of actions to be undertaken by respective offices during occurrence of calamities in Boracay Island, including the identification of evacuation areas or centers and with the objective of ensuring zero casualties during occurrence of calamities and to minimize the effect in cases of disasters.

In June of 2011, the BSTPO together with 61st Task Force Boracay (PA) joined in the Tomas Walk for a Cause dubbed as Step Juan Bai (Bisaya Adventure Ini), a walk expedition for Children with Cancer by Mr Tomas Leonor; conducted the 2011 Brigada Eskwela of Yapak Elementary School together with the PNP Traffic Management Group-Caticlan personnel and members of KABALIKAT Civicom-961 Boracay and participated in the In His Steps Medical Mission 2011 held at Barangay Manoc-Manoc Plaza.

In July of 2011, the BSTPO conducted a symposium on Drug Abuse Prevention and Control with the students of Boracay National High School-Manoc-Manoc Extension, led by the Officers of Supreme Student Council held at the Jade Hall of La Carmela de Boracay Beach Resort and Convention Center. This activity aimed to educate them the harmful effects of drugs and the penalties if being caught engaged at said nefarious activity. In the same month, the 3-Day’s Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team Training participated by Tanod Members, Barangay Officials and BSTPO force multipliers such as the Boracay Neighborhood Watch led by its founder, Mr Wilson Enriquez; KABALIKAT Civicom-961 Boracay led by Ms Tata Alano, Over-All Chairman; KABAYAN Action Group-Boracay under the leadership of Mr Nick Gadores, Chapter President; Boracay Salaam Police Volunteers and Municipal Auxiliary Police-Boracay was conducted being held at La Salla de Gelito, Willy’s Beach Club Hotel-Boracay.

In the month of September, the BSTPO organized the physical fitness fun-run dubbed as “Takbong Maharlika, Tungo sa Pagkakaisa” with a theme: “Patuloy na Pagkakaisa ng Boracay PNP at Mamamayan, Tungo sa Mapayapa at Ligtas na Pamayanan ng Boracay Island” which was participated by a total of sixty one runners coming from the Task Group Boracay-Philippine Army Platoon, KABALIKAT Civicom-961 Boracay, ISLANDERS Boracay and BSTPO personnel. In the same month, the BSTPO’s Chief PSUPT Samuel C Nacion and P02 Christopher Mendoza, Police Community Relations Officer had proved it once again when they went home with pride after bagging 3rd Place for two consecutive years in the National Police Commission 2011 Search for Most Citizen-Friendly Police Station (Municipal Category) held at Amigo Plaza Mall Event Center in Iloilo City that culminated the 17th National Crime Prevention Week Celebration with a theme: PiNOY AKO, Crime Prevention Misyon Ko.” The slogan was, “Knock-out Crime”. The duo also represented the BSTPO during the deliberation held at the Conference Room of the Regional Office of National Police Commission, Iloilo City. The BSTPO also launched the “Pulis ko, Titser ko” at Yapak Elementary School, its partner school as the recipient of this dignified undertaking and Faithfully Travel and Tours for the second time with P02 Mendoza as the Police Teacher.

In the same month, the BSTPO participated in the First Anniversary of the Boracay Beach Management Program with the theme: “Sali ako dyan!” The said activity started with a coastal clean-up, followed with a simple program at Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center, a human chain in order to show the oneness and cooperation of all community members and stakeholders towards the betterment of Boracay Island. It was also participated in by thousands of personnel/members coming from the different national and local government agencies and various non-government organizations in the Municipality of Malay. The occasion was graced by Mayor John P Yap of Malay; Sec Ramon Paje, the Outgoing DENR Secretary; Usec Rico Puno of DILG, and many other distinguished guests. In the afternoon, different groups coming from Philippine Coast Guard-Boracay, Task Group Boracay-Philippine Army, students of Boracay National High School-Main Campus, members of Boracay Dragons (Silver Medalist, 3rd World Ultimate Frisbee Championship held in Lignano, Italy), personnel of the PNP SOCO-Boracay, BSTPO personnel and other community members of Boracay Island joined in the “Isang Sayaw, Isang Isla” as part of the First Anniversary of the Boracay Beach Management Program held at the beach front of D*Mall de Boracay led by Mayor John P Yap of Malay and Sec Neri Acosta, the incoming DENR Secretary. The said group danced to the tune of Fire Work which was popularized by Katy Perry.

Meanwhile, P02 Ryan Panadero finished on top and was awarded the Top Gun Marksmanship Award during the 15-day SWAT training course, held at the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO). PCI CHRISTOPHER PRANGAN, Deputy Chief of the BSTPO was recognized as the Expert Shooter and the BSTPO Shooting Team rank No 3 in the Team Category during the 1st Aklan PPO Invitational Shootfest 2011 while P01 Jessie Villaruel received the Master Shooter Award during the 2nd Aklan PPO Invitational Shootfest 2011. The BSTPO was also awarded second place in the 2011 Operational Accomplishments for the whole of Aklan Province.

The BSTPO continue to bring the PNP closer to the community by being actively involved in several community based projects and activities organized by different NGOs on the Island of Boracay. This is what we call true police and community partnership. These projects include a weekly feeding program in collaboration with Church on the Rock International Ministries-Boracay; Million Volunteers Run of the Philippine Red Cross-Boracay; Boracay Run for A Cause of the LGU-Malay, Operation Tulong Para Sa Mga Biktima Ng Bagyong Sendong of Boracay Yes FM; Saturday Beach Clean-up; Operation Linis Puntod of Islander’s Boracay; 2011 Paskwa sa Isla of Kiwanis Club International of Boracay; Science Month Celebration of DepEd-Malay, and many other activities.
In the last week of October 2011, PCI PRANGAN became the Officer-In Charge of the BSTPO replacing PSUPT NACION as BSTPO Chief. But in the middle of November 2011 up to the present, PSUPT JULIO T GUSTILO JR was appointed as the BSTPO Chief. PSUPT GUSTILO belongs to the 1992 Class Tagapagpatupad of the Philippine National Police Academy and was a member of UN Peacekeeping Force in East Timor. Prior to his appointment as BSTPO Chief, he was the Deputy Provincial Director for Administration and Operations of Guimaras Provincial Police Office.

2011 is finally over and there is no other way of turning back. All of those things have now become a part of BSTPO history. But there is only one thing for sure – the BSTPO, your community and tourist-friendly police, will continue and remain determined to deliver the Best Services Toward Peace and Orderliness in the Island of Boracay.





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