Sen. Francis Pangilinan questioned the deployment of over 600 government troops to popular island resort Boracay in Malay, Aklan. “Boracay is a tourist destination with a long coastline of soft, white sand beach. It is not a conflict area or a war zone,” said Pangilinan. Director General Oscar Albayalde of the Philippine National Police (PNP) justified the presence of his men in Boracay. Pangilinan said there are no terrorists or invaders in Boracay. “It is a shame that the administration is deploying the military, police and the coastguard in Boracay while China has been blatantly trespassing in our territory and disrespecting our sovereignty (in the Spratly group of islands),” he added.

Silubrico, R., & Golez, P. (2018, April 28). More gov't troops in Boracay than Spratlys?. Panay News, pp. 1, 15.