Bureau of Immigration. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/ ALEXIS CORPUZ
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday started coordinating with proper authorities to identify the tourists caught on video allowing a child to poop in the beach while the other was seen burying a soiled diaper in the sand.
“Said incident is a police matter, and is not under the jurisdiction of the BI,” immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval told INQUIRER.net in a text message when asked for a reaction.
“We are, however, working with the relevant authorities in helping investigate and verify the identities of foreign nationals involved in criminal offenses,” she added.
Sandoval was referring to the foreign nationals caught on video in Boracay.
Malacañang has already condemned the said act, adding that the foreigners could face chargers.
“Well, there are rules and regulations in that place. So everyone is expected to – whether foreigner or Filipinos tourists alike, whatever – they have to follow rules and that obviously is a violation so they would be subject to suits,” Palace spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
READ: Palace: Pooping incident in Boracay ‘offensive’; tourists may face raps
The said portion of Boracay island has been ordered closed to allow the cleanup of the affected area.
READ: Part of Boracay shoreline closed for cleanup after pooping incident
It could be noted that Boracay was closed for six months in 2018 as part of the government’s rehabilitation program of this prime tourist destination. /jpv