Philippines closes Boracay to tourists under high security

BORACAY, the Philippines-The Philippines shuttered its famous holiday island Boracay to tourists on Thursday for a six-month cleanup, which the government has imposed with a show of its security forces.

Coast Guard boats were on patrol and assault-rifle wielding police were posted at entry points to the once-pristine island that has become tainted by heavy commercialization and overdevelopment.

Regional police head Cesar Binag said the shutdown began past midnight, with tourists barred from boarding the ferry that is the main way onto the island.