Mayor bares Boracay Halloween party, says organizers penalized

Malay, Aklan Mayor Frolibar Bautista on Thursday said a Halloween party happened on the island of Boracay despite quarantine measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a radio interview, Bautista said the party happened in a private residence. He did not mention when it exactly transpired. He noted that authorities were not able to immediately notice the party because it was far from the beach area.

"Base sa investigation, mayroon kasing organizers... dinala doon sa isang private house, doon sila nagparty-party noong sa Halloween. Di kaagad nakita 'yun kasi area na malayo sa beach siya so 'di siya masyadong makikita... 'yun nga may nakapasok doon at nakuhanan ng video," Bautista said.

He said organizers of the party were fined with P5,000 while authorities are still looking for another organizer.

Bautista said some foreigners who attended the party even wore uniforms of policemen. He said complaints have been filed against them.

"Sa ngayon, na-penalize sila and 'yung dalawang nag-join sa party na ginamit nila 'yung uniform ng police, nafile-an ng kaso, foreigner na 'yun. I don't think uulitin pa nila 'yun kasi 'yung organizer nila nagtatago eh," Bautista said.

The police confirmed that criminal complaints were filed against the foreigners for allegedly violating Art. 179 of the Revised Penal Code (Illegal Use of Uniform).

Police also said they have forwarded their request to the Bureau of Immigration to declare the foreigners as "undesirable aliens."

GMA News Online has asked the Department of the Interior and Local Government for comment regarding the matter.

Bautista said the Island of Boracay remains free from COVID-19.

The national government decided to open Boracay Island to tourists to boost the tourism industry despite the pandemic. Its reopening initially started in June for Aklan residents, then eventually for the residents of entire Western Visayas. — RSJ, GMA News