Malacañang felt “insulted” over the pooping incident in Boracay which was recently rehabilitated by the government, urging tourists to follow the “anti-littering” ordinance in the island.
“We feel insulted with such discourtesy done in the beautiful island this administration recently rehabilitated with intense and collective efforts employed by various departments and agencies of the government,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
Recently, a video circulated online showing a tourist letting her child defecate on the beach while the other was caught burying a diaper in the island’s white sand.
Panelo said the tourists could face charges for their behavior, which he called “offensive to sight.”
“Well, there are rules and regulations in that place. So everyone is expected to—whether foreigner or Filipinos tourists alike. They have to follow rules and that obviously is a violation so they would be subject to suits,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.
“Of course, it’s a violation. We are not happy about it because we are supposed to clean it up,” he said.
Boracay was closed for six months as part of the government’s efforts to rehabilitate the island, after President Rodrigo Duterte called it a “cesspool.”
He then directed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to rehabilitate the island.
Waters along the beaches of Boracay have experienced algal bloom, an indicator of pollution and deteriorating water conditions.
In response to the pooping incident, a portion of Boracay’s shoreline was closed Wednesday to conduct a 48 to 72-hour cleanup.
“We urge everyone—locals and foreign nationals alike—to help in making and maintaining our surroundings and our communities clean and safe for everyone’s appreciation and pleasure,” Panelo said.
The Palace spokesman also suggested that portable restrooms should be installed along the beachfront of the island which has been attracting thousands of tourists.
“Maybe we should ask also the Boracay, whoever are responsible for that place, to have available restrooms all over,” Panelo said.
The authorities have yet to identify the tourists in the viral video.