Palace urges tourists to follow rules regarding Boracay defecation issue
A video of a tourist in Boracay Island went viral after the tourist let her child defecate on the shores of one of the most renowned beaches in the Philippines last August 13.
A video of a tourist in Boracay Island went viral after the tourist let her child defecate on the shores of one of the most renowned beaches in the Philippines last August 13.
According to the uploader’s post behind the name, “Grace”, they were just casually enjoying in Station 1 last Monday when she and her friends caught the foreigner in the act of letting the child excrete on the nearby shore.
“Nasa tubig po kame nung time na 'yon when my friends saw the kid poop and (noong nakita ng mga kaibigan ko na nagdudumi at) hinugasan ng mom 'yong kid,” Grace said in an interview with ABS-CBN.
(“We were just in the water during that time when my friends saw the kid poop and the mom washed the kid [in the nearby waters]).”
The foreigner then covered the waste of her child by putting sand over it. According to the source, the grandmother of the child also went back to the shore to wash the underwear of the child.
“A lot of us were shocked and grossed out kasi galing kame sa water. We didn't know what to do so we just shouted yuck! yuck! to call their attention,” Grace added.
(“A lot of us were shocked and grossed out because we were in the water! We didn’t know what to do so we just shouted “Yuck! Yuck! Yuck!” to call their attention.”)
In Grace’s dismay, they immediately went out of the shore and take a bath at their hotel. Grace also posted the video in social media that went viral with more than 1,000 likes and 2,000 shares.
After the incident, the beach section affected was closed and was only reopened in the late afternoon after tests indicated that water was safe and clear for swimming and related activities.
The issue also went up to the Palace where Malacañang also expressed their displeasure. It can be remembered that Boracay previously underwent a force closure to rehabilitate its waterways and resources.
“It’s a violation. We will not—of course, we are not happy about that. It’s not good because we’re supposed to be cleaning it up and then some people would just mess it up?” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said.
According to the palace spokesperson, “[T]he incident offends the sensibilities of Filipinos.”
Panelo also stressed that if a Filipino did it, it would be no less offensive. He called what happened to be a disgusting incident and said that violators of the Philippine laws and ordinances should be slapped with administrative sanctions.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources thanked the uploader of the video but they said that it could have been better if the culprit is identified.