Boracay crime rate down by 80% since closure

ILOILO CITY , Philippines — Index crimes or crimes committed against persons and property in Boracay dropped by almost 80 percent since the world-famous island-resort was closed to tourists.

Records from the Metro Boracay Police Task Force (MBPTF) showed that from 176 cases recorded from April 26 to June 22, 2017, the figure dropped to only 14 or a decrease of 79.5 percent in the same period this year.

Boracay, located in Malay, Aklan, was closed on April 26 to pave the way for rehabilitation and cleanup.

Before the closure was implemented, some residents expressed fear that crime incidents on the island might increase as a majority of them would lose their jobs and livelihood.

In almost two months that Boracay was free from tourists, only two robbery and eight theft cases were recorded.

“No carjacking occurred,” MBPTF chief Senior Superintendent Jesus Cambay Jr. said.

He said last year they recorded 93 cases of  crimes against property and three vehicle theft.

In 2017, crimes against persons mostly involved physical injuries with 73 cases. Two murders, four rapes and one homicide were recorded in the same year.

This year, the MBPTF has so far recorded one murder and three physical injury cases.

Cambay attributed the drop in the crime rate to the efforts of all concerned agencies and cooperation among the residents, stakeholders and the police.

“It was a concerted effort. We could not have done it alone,” he said.

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