Security beefed up in Boracay vs kidnap gang

Security has been beefed up for resort owners in Boracay Island in Aklan province following the reported arrival of a kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group there, Sun-Star Iloilo (sunstar.com.ph) reported Friday. The report said local businessmen believe the gang transferred from Manila and includes remnants of a group whose other members are now jailed at the Iloilo Rehabilitation Center. Acting on the information, Western Visayas regional police director Chief Supterintendent Geary Barias ordered heavy security for resort owners in Boracay Island since last week. But Mayor Jerry Treñas denied this while Iloilo police director Senior Superintendent Wesley Barayuga got irked over the information, the Sun-Star report said. Chinese-Filipino businessmen were among the resort owners in Boracay who were particularly disturbed over the reported arrival of the KFR gang. Treñas assured the public that he gave directives to Barayuga to conduct patrols day and night in major thoroughfares and subdivisions. He urged businessmen not to be alarmed because the police are trying their best to protect them and their families even as the police insisted there was no KFR gang there. The police added that several prominent persons may have been raising the KFR scare because they wanted to avail of police escorts. Still, Barayuga asked the community to be aware of strangers in their respective area. He advised village heads to act on transients in their area, especially those who are suspicious-looking. “We are asking the help and cooperation of the community to help us monitor persons who are suspicious-looking in order to avoid any kidnapping incident," Barayuga said. The Iloilo City police are now coordinating with businessmen for preventive measures, he added. - GMANews.TV