Holiday rush at terminal Special police unit deployed

CEBU, Philippines - Starting yesterday, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) deployed a team from the Special Reaction Unit (SRU) to the Cebu South Bus Terminal, which is jam-packed during Holiday seasons.

Senior Supt. Erson Digal, director of the CPPO, said additional police force is needed at the terminal where a big crowd traveling to southern towns of Cebu and even to neighboring provinces is anticipated.

“We expect that until January 4, daghan kaayong pasahero sa terminal maong mag-dispatch jud ta og additional forces to pre-empt any eventualities,” Digal said.

The Capitol-run bus terminal, situated along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, accommodates buses bound for Argao, Badian, Boljoon, Carcar, Dalaguete, Dumanjug, Moalboal, Oslob, Pinamungahan, San Fernando, Sibonga, and Toledo, among others.

Digal has directed the chiefs of police in all stations with seaports under their jurisdiction to put up a Police Action Center and conduct police visibility.

The CCPO director appealed to the commuters to bear with the authorities who will conduct random checkpoints at the sea ports and bus terminals.

Also yesterday, Digal cautioned those who want to celebrate the holidays outside their houses to be extra careful since Christmas also provides several opportunities for burglars, robbers, and pickpockets.

Digal said that travelers need to watch their belongings and make sure their houses are safe against criminals.

“For those nga manguli sa ilang provinces dapat mag-amping and lock their houses or magbilin og tao nga mutan-aw sa balay,” he said.

He also said it is better to turn off the circuit breaker to avoid fires.

Digal encouraged everyone to coordinate with policemen should they encounter problems during their trips and to report any suspicious person to the nearest police station or at the police assistance center.

He added that parents need to look after their children and report overloading of vehicles.

“Bantayan ang mga bata aron dili mawala and report reckless drivers to avoid road accidents,” he said.

Policemen all over the province will also conduct mobile and random checkpoints to hinder illegal activities.

Police will be deploying more intelligence personnel and carry out more raids after receiving reports of an increasing demand in illegal drugs for the holidays. — (THE FREEMAN)