…apologizes to boxing champ for being dragged into the mess

MANILA, Philippines - The owner of the West Cove Hotel in the Boracay Island wants the government to investigate other resorts, which he said have been shortchanging the country of its dues.

In an interview with radio dzMM, Crisostomo Aquino alleged efforts to close his resort came from foreigners who have married Filipinos to get a chunk of the pristine island.

While everyone is focusing on his resort by virtue of the names being attached to it, “there will come a time when we’ll wake up and Boracay is already owned by foreigners. I’m ready to testify in any investigation.”

He claimed the resort atop his property has a fake title.

West Cove Hotel is known by tourists as the “Pacman Resort”. Crisostomo Aquino is a close friend of People’s Champ Manny Pacquiao.

The local government of Malay questioned West Cove Hotel’s “off-shore” development and the erection of concrete structures on the coves and rocks, which supposedly imperil the fragile ecosystem in the resort island.

“I’m being accused that I have strong connections that is why I was able to operate,” Aquino lamented.

Yesterday, Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said former boss Jose “Lito” Atienza Jr. issued a lease agreement for the construction of the resort. “They said I got it because of [Atienza], who is [Pacquiao’s] ninong,” Aquino said.

“I pity our idol, whose name is being dragged into the issue because of people who wants to own the lot I am in,” he said.

He said he has been paying the government taxes since he has a forest land use agreement for tourism purposes.