Coast Guard tightens port watch amid influx of travelers

MANILA, Philippines – The Coast Guard has intensified patrols against overloading of passenger ships and the transshipment of illegal products in preparation for the Christmas season.

Coast Guard Commandant Vice Adm. Wilfredo Tamayo said he had sent a radio message to Coast Guard stations and district offices nationwide and would soon issue a letter of instruction to formalize his instructions.

“During the Christmas holidays, it is anticipated that the volume of ship passengers would double because they can enjoy longer vacations with their families,” he said.

“That is why we already started making preparations for the yuletide season.”

Tamayo said unscrupulous people might also try to take advantage of the frenzy at the ports to load contraband items on board the ships, such as firecrackers and pyrotechnics, illegal drugs and even human smuggling.

Coast Guardsmen were also instructed to make the necessary coordination with shipping companies and port authorities on how to implement better monitoring and screening at the check in counters and of hand carry baggage.

Boarding officers should also make sure that the ship is not overloaded before allowing it to set sail.

There is a possibility that shipping lines, the ship’s captain or the crew would allow more passengers on board, exceeding its allowable capacity.

The Coast Guard also asked for the public’s assistance to report any suspicious characters or belongings left unattended.

The Coast Guard would soon be posting their hotline contact numbers in visible areas. – Evelyn Macairan, Serafin Jopel Esmiller III