No suspects yet in Boracay resort robbery
Iloilo -- A call for a speedy investigation has now been made by the Department of Tourism (DOT) here for authorities relative to the incident that traumatized and victimized eleven Iloilo City-based Korean nationals in a recent Boracay visit.
As such, DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta expects solid leads from the Boracay police after officially making representations to ascertain the events surrounding the "attack" inside Alice in Wonderland Resort located in Mangayad, Manocmanoc, Boracay Island.
Boracay, a world-class destination is in the forefront of the DOT's tourism campaign reason why Trompeta, upon hearing the incident, stepped in and asked for corresponding police report and investigation.
The eleven Korean nationals who arrived in the Philippines in January are here for special language courses and were taking a break minus the help of a local guide. A day after staying at Alice in Wonderland Resort, some 30 meters away from the Boracay police headquarters, the eleven were divested of at least P55,000 in cash, valuables, personal belongings and signature items amounting to over P100,000.
In a report, The News Today (TNT) gathered from the group's spokesperson that the crime occurred when an unidentified suspect or suspects barged inside their two rented rooms and stole their things.
An incident report filed by the Boracay Special Tourist Police Office and was obtained by TNT over the weekend showed that the Koreans discovered about the loss of their valuables around 10 p.m. of February 12 when they came back to their rooms after eating dinner outside the resort.
The police observed that there was no forcible entry on the two rooms. Investigation also showed that the doors and windows of the two rooms remain locked.
Police, as reported, immediately conducted investigation on the guard on duty as well as the resort owner.
The investigation report however did not mention possible leads or suspects to the crime.
Earlier, the source disclosed that the Koreans decried the reported delay or lack of sufficient police action however Chief Inspector Jess Mendez, Boracay Special Tourist Police Station chief, denied said assertion while saying that for lack of police personnel, there certainly is not enough men to cover the ongoings in the entire island.
In an interview over Bombo Radyo Thursday night last week Chief Inspector Mendez confirmed the incident but said that investigation is ongoing as regards the identities of the suspects.
Mendez said one of the angles they entertain is inside job as there was no forcible entry noticed in the crime scene.
Alice in Wonderland is some 200 meters away from the beachfront with the resort fully enclosed by a fence and guarded by private security. Guests are normally asked to leave their room keys or face a P1,000 fine in the event of loss.
TNT tried to reach Chief Inspector Mendez Saturday for the latest case update however failed to get said Boracay police chief.
The chief is really busy, a cop who answered the second call explained while adding that "VIPs" are in town including two senators.
Alice Matsuo, resort owner and manager was also expected over the weekend as she flew in from Manila.