Caloocan tightens security at transport terminals

MANILA, Philippines - The Caloocan City government yesterday tapped barangay tanods and local public safety and traffic management personnel to help its police force secure bus and railway stations as well as malls and other areas of convergence during the Holy Week.

Mayor Enrico Echiverri told city police chief Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, city public safety and traffic head Al Sta. Maria, and Liga ng mga Barangay president Ricojudge Echiverri to spearhead their respective units in the Holy Week security campaign.

Police officers from the city’s Special Weapons and Tactics team and their bomb-sniffing dogs started yesterday to patrol bus terminals to make sure no explosives or weapons could be smuggled into the buses.

The younger Echiverri coordinated with the city’s 188 village leaders to deploy their respective barangay tanods even during the day to dissuade burglars from breaking into houses whose owners are on vacation.