Terminals secured, assures no fare hike

All three major terminals in the city yesterday announced that their respective areas are fully secured, there are enough public utility vehicles to serve the hordes of commuters, and that there would be no fare hike imposed, during the Kalag-Kalag observance on November 1 and 2. (see list of fares).

At the Cebu South Bus Terminal, the Cebu Provincial Police sent nine more policemen to help the regular two policemen in the area. The provincial government also sent more security guards, and three bomb-sniffing dogs. Pahina Central barangay captain Sisinio Andales further sent his tanods to help the security force there.

"I think it's more than enough preparation," acting provincial collection officer Carmen Quijano told The FREEMAN in an interview yesterday.

Additional lights were also installed by the Capitol to fully illuminate the terminal and deter activities of criminal elements that prey on hapless passengers, said Quijano.

Quijano said the common cases recorded last year were lost bags or cellphones, so she advised commuters to be on guard now of their belongings and neither leave their valuables anywhere nor show off their mobile phones to the public.

Quijano also assured southbound commuters of enough vehicles to take them to their respective destinations. The South Bus Terminal has a total of at least 400 buses, each of which would take two round-trips a day.

At the One Citilink Terminal, on the other hand, a long queue of southbound commuters was already noted yesterday. Romeo Toreno, one of the plainclothes security personnel, said they are already prepared for a surge of more commuters today.

There are seven more blue guards, four plainclothes security men, and three policemen strategically posted on a 24-hour basis to secure the two buildings of the terminal and the surrounding areas, said Toreno.

There were no reported untoward incidents in the terminal last year so the management wanted to maintain such this time, he said.

Aside from jeepneys and minibuses going as far as Naga, there are also more than 100 vans-for hire, 14- or 18-seater, that will take passengers to as far as Santander, said Toreno.

Meanwhile at the Cebu City North Bus Terminal, there are policemen, blue guards, and K-9 dogs to secure the place round-the-clock, said terminal supervisor Nemesio Lumapac.

Lumapac said plenty of people already trooped to the terminal yesterday and more are expected today. This terminal has more than 100 ordinary buses, 60 mini-buses, and a number of V-hires, to meet the expected rise in the number of travelers, he said.

In Mandaue City, tanods helped the police secure the Cebu North Bus Terminal starting yesterday. K-9 dogs and anti-drug enforcers were also detailed there to inspect baggage and cargoes.

Supt. Emmanuel Ughoc, deputy police chief for operations of the Mandaue City Police, said security measures are in place not only at terminals but in cemeteries as well, until November 3.

Meanwhile, CPPO director Vicente Loot said yesterday that he sent more men to places vulnerable to insurgency attacks. Without specifying the towns, he said churches, cemeteries, ports or wharves of these places should be secured.

Regional Mobile Group-7 director Jesus Gaquing also said that all his men, including police recruits, would be on call during the Kalag-Kalag. - Liv G. Campo and Jose P. Sollano, with Flor Z.Perolina