Haresco faces backlash from Boracay residents over negative remarks about island?

Boracay Island- Boracay residents have expressed outrage toward Aklan 2nd District Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr. for his remarks tarnishing the island’s reputation following the recent killing of a tourist.

“Solusyon ang hinihingi ng mga Akeanon pero bakit parang takot ang dala ni Haresco. Imbes na ayusin at pagandahin ang seguridad ng isla, e pupulitikahin pa niya,” one resident wrote on social media.

“Makapal din talaga ang mukha nitong si Haresco. Pamumulitika pa rin ang inuuna imbes na gumawa ng move para mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng turista. Ganitong klaseng congressman ba ang gusto niyong iboto?” another resident added. A resident further condemned Haresco, questioning his sincerity in serving the people.

“Kadiri! Ganito ba ang gusto niyo? Parang walang pakialam sa nangyayari sa paligid niya! Ibang klase din talaga mag-isip itong si Haresco,” she said. The backlash erupted after Haresco claimed in a recent interview that Boracay was heading towards the “intensive care unit (ICU)” due to the murder of foreign tourist Michaela Mickova.

“Tumaas ang balahibo ko kasi namatay na nga ang Kalibo International Airport tapos ma-a-ICU pa yung Boracay dahil sa nangyari sa isang turista,” Haresco said, referring to Mickova, who was found dead in an abandoned chapel in Boracay with a stab wound to the stomach. He further stated that while CCTV footage had identified four suspects, the tragedy would still linger in the minds of tourists, possibly discouraging them from visiting the island.

“Nasira na ang Boracay sa imahe ng mga turista at wala nang epekto kahit pa anong gawin ng lokal na pamahalaan para maibalik ang tiwala sa seguridad ng isla,” he said, suggesting that Boracay may no longer recover from the negative publicity. “I do not know if we can do some compensation. Whatever we’ll do, nasira ang Boracay,” Haresco said.

Apart from this issue, Haresco is also embroiled in another controversy involving his local chief of staff, Benjie Tocol, who has been charged with allegedly financing and supporting the terrorist group New People’s Army (NPA). Brince Gegodas, an arrested NPA member, accused Tocol of providing money and groceries to an NPA official in the Panay Region in April 2023.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Aklan Provincial Field Unit (CIDG-PFU) has since filed charges against Tocol for violating Republic Act 10168, or the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.