PNP, Coast Guard tighten security at ports, bus terminals this Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines -  The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will beef up security in all airports, seaports and bus terminals in anticipation of the influx of people who will troop to provinces for the long weekend.

Spokespersons of the PNP and PCG said yesterday they will deploy additional personnel to ensure stricter implementation of security measures during the Holy Week.

“We have augmented our patrol enforcers by about 500. The PNP also deployed bomb squads and K9 units,” PNP spokesman Agrimero Cruz told the weekly Kapihan sa Diamond Hotel media forum.

Cruz said the PNP has also signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Organization of Private Security Agencies for crime prevention as many residents of Metro Manila are likely to observe Holy Week in the province.

“We will help in patrolling subdivisions and villages which may be targeted by robbers,” he said.

For his part, PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo said they are continuously implementing tight security in all seaports.

He also said there will be no day off for all PCG personnel until Easter Sunday.

Balilo said there were no reports of overloading of passenger ships so far.

Meanwhile, Cruz called on bus drivers and operators not to take hitchhikers on board.

“They should not pick up passengers along highways but only in terminals so they (passengers) can be thoroughly checked,” Cruz said.

Operations to continue

Government troops, on the other hand, will not cease their operations against the Abu Sayyaf and other armed groups during Holy week.

Lt. Col. Randolf Cabangbang, Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) spokesman, said soldiers have been placed on alert in Basilan and Sulu.

Cabangbang said security operations have been extended to include religious sites and vacation getaways. – With Roel Pareño