Palace says gov’t ready to blow up illegal structures in Boracay

March 15, 2018

President Rodrigo Duterte is ready to send Marines and even order illegal structures blown up in Boracay Island if owners would resist their demolition.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, in a press briefing on Thursday, said the order of closure and demolition of the structures breaching the environmental laws, such as the Boracay West Cove, was immediately executory.

"And I think the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) and DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) have said that they will demolish West Cove. The last that I heard is that the local government may even ask the president for assistance to call in the Marines if need be," he said.

"So when I heard that report, I told them, send the letter because I’m sure the president will not hesitate to send in the Marines and even use dynamite to blow up that illegal structure there," Roque said.

Crisostomo Aquino, owner of West Cove, through his lawyer, has questioned the closure of the resort.

Aquino has said a petition seeking the issuance of a temporary restraining order, injunction and certiorari would be filed before the Kalibo Regional Trial Court.

Duterte earlier warned the courts not to issue any TRO in his order to address the problem in Boracay within six months.

Duterte has likened Boracay to a "cesspool." Celerina Monte/DMS