PRO-6 Cogitates Boracay ID System

BY MONTESA GRIÑO


The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is proposing identification (ID) system to bolster the security of this popular island resort. For security reasons, workers and visitors going in and out of Boracay must be kept tract by the police, said Chief Supt. Geary Barias, regional police director.
"We are looking into this strategy to materialize soon. Policemen should especially monitor new faces," Barias said. He urged the local government of Aklan to think about the PRO-6 proposal. The ID system could also help the police track crime suspects who may be seeking shelter in Boracay.
The security measures in Boracay are not enough, Barias further said. "We need some high tech equipment that could help our security system." According to Barias, he already directed the Boracay Special Protection Unit (BSPU) to come up with a security master plan, particularly in the island’s entrance and exit points.
The ultimate goal is to prevent terrorist attacks in Boracay. "There are lots of foreigners and prominent persons who are going in and out," Barias stressed. Recently, Aklan Vice Gov. Ronquillo C. Tolentino expressed support to the national ID system, saying that it would be good for Boracay.Last July, the Supreme Court denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by progressive groups against the nationwide ID system.
"The Bali, Indonesia incident is a vivid example of terrorism in a tourist destination. Times have changed. Terrorism is now a worldwide dilemma," said Tolentino. "In the light of this, the national ID system has become a necessity. Even modern nations have national IDs for their national security. But how it will be implemented bears watching," he stressed.
The provincial government earlier "held in abeyance" the implementation of the one-entry, one-exit scheme in Boracay after Malay town officials put into operation the multiple entry, one exit policy.The one-entry, one-exit scheme aims to ensure the security of incoming tourists and residents in the island from lawless elements.
The Supreme Court said, "the Kilusang Mayo Uno and Bayan Muna failed to present substantial arguments to warrant the reversal of its April 19 ruling declaring Executive Order 420 on the national ID as constitutional."
The scheme would replace existing cards such as social security, government security and health cards among others into a single card. The court stressed that EO 420 ensures efficiency and user-friendliness in the implementation of current ID systems of government entities under existing laws, which is within the constitutional power of President of the Philippines.
But, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Aklan chairperson George Calaor said, "the national ID system serves as one of Arroyo’s instrumentalities in attacking the people’s democratic rights and welfare." "It will surely and solely be used against her critics, especially those who are calling for her ouster from her stolen seat in Malacañang," he added. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com