Sun, sea, sand, Swat team: police prepare for temporary closure of Philippine island of Boracay
Raw sewage pumped into the sea has turned top tourist spot into a ‘cesspool’, says President Rodrigo Duterte, who has vowed to clean the place up
Philippine police preparing to shut down the resort island Boracay staged drills in riot gear on Wednesday, startling the laid-back beach community as workers mounted a last-ditch legal effort to halt the six-month closure.
President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the holiday destination off-limits to tourists from Thursday, saying the tiny island has become a “cesspool” tainted by dumped sewage.
As part of police drills, officers in full riot gear clashed with bottle-throwing people playing the part of protesters on the white sand beach while concerned locals watched.
In another exercise, screaming women in the role of tourists were snatched from their beach towels and held at gunpoint by hooded men.
“I was alarmed there were so many soldiers and police,” resident Dory Gaitano said. “I thought they’ll be only demolishing establishments with violations. Why are there countless soldiers?”