More police for Philippines tourist spots

The Philippines plans to deploy some 1000 policemen in key tourist spots after the murder of an Israeli visitor at a famous island resort, Tourism Secretary Richard Gordona said yesterday.

The move to step up security for tourists comes as US troops prepare for a joint military exercise in the southern Philippines as part of Washington's first significant expansion of its war against terrorism.

Gordona said the 26-year-old Israeli tourist was stabbed to death while walking with his girlfriend on the beach at the island resort of Boracay in central Philippines on Sunday.