Palace shoots down Trillanes theory on Boracay closure

April 10, 2018

Malacanang dismissed on Tuesday opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's theory that President Rodrigo Duterte's order to close Boracay island in Aklan was aimed at fast-tracking the construction of a casino in the major tourist destination.

Trillanes even vowed to file a resolution in the Senate, calling for the investigation to shut down the island from tourists for six months starting April 26.

"Boracay closed to tourists and no casinos in Boracay. Period," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a text message to reporters.

Before he left for China on Monday, Duterte said he would not allow construction of any casino in Boracay.

He said he was considering the island to be a land reform area and to distribute it to the farmers.

Trillanes has also urged residents in the place to ask for a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court to stop the closure of the island. Celerina Monte/DMS