THE Philippine Government will beef up protection for foreigners on the resort island of Boracay following the high-profile rape case of ex-Hong Kong businesswoman Gillian Martin.
Aklan provincial governor Corazon L. Cabagnot said yesterday security patrols and street lighting would be increased to offset a spate of bad publicity the island had been getting.
Additionally, the Government would wage war on child prostitution, paedophilia and international drug traffickers who were using Boracay as a staging post to Europe and the US.
'We know this island is a favourite of Hong Kong people and we want to keep it that way,' the former diplomat said.
Her assurances, however, have come hot on the heels of a revelation that there have been four other attempted rapes at the idyllic white beaches of the resort island in the past two months alone, including at least one involving a foreign woman.
'The public records are full of facts of incidents,' the Governor admitted.
'We are going to set up a civilian volunteer force of guards armed with night sticks, who will patrol the island overnight,' Governor Cabagnot said.