Boracay legislator calls on Muslim women to show faces in beach, hotels

 A lady councilor of Malay, Aklan has sought the support of the Muslim community here as she asked their women to show their faces while at the beach or in hotels.

Councilor Nette Graf said this is in connection with the terrorist attacks that have occurred in the southern Philippines and in other tourist destinations in the world.

At least 15 people died and scores were injured when a bomb ripped through a night market in Davao City last September 2. Explosions were also reported in New York and New Jersey in the US over the weekend.

The suspect in the Davao explosion reportedly wore a mask.

"This aims to ensure the safety of everyone in Boracay. I also plan to talk to Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling to issue an executive order similar to that of Davao," Graf said.

Muslim women in the country by tradition cover their faces.

"If one is wearing a mask, be it a face mask or a hijab or a burqa, it is difficult to determine whether one is a male or a female," she said.

Since last year, the Boracay Tourists Police and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been monitoring the beaches by conducting foot patrols and through closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras.