President Rodrigo Duterte said he would order the arrest of local government officials and resort owners of Boracay if they refuse to cooperate and protest the government’s ongoing investigation and efforts to rehabilitate the famous island. Duterte said that local executives and businessmen were responsible for the degradation of Boracay, a day after announcing that he would declare the tourist destination under state of calamity for its worsening sewage problems. ADVERTISEMENT(If they refuse to cooperate and begin to protest, you were responsible for the damage all these years, as well as the local officials who are all nonchalant of the problem there, I will arrest you all.) The agencies were also considering to order a 60-day shutdown of establishments while authorities continue to assess businesses’ possible violations of environmental laws. READ: Duterte eyes declaring state of calamity in BoracayADVERTISEMENT

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 07, 2018 10:52 UTC