Prohibited items confiscated at PITX

MANILA, Philippines — Some passengers at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange are still bringing prohibited items in their travel, with PITX personnel seizing butane canisters, bolos and knives, cutters, matches and insecticides yesterday.

In a report, the PITX said it had confiscated 120 prohibited items, mostly pointed objects like knives and scissors, since Monday.

It reminded the public that under Memorandum Circular 2022-005 of the Office for Transportation Security, all explosives, incendiary devices and firearms are prohibited in buses, bus terminals and bus maintenance facilities.

The PITX said gases, flammable liquids, oxidizers, organic peroxides, corrosive/radioactive materials and toxic/infectious substances as well as bladed weapons or tools are prohibited.

Kolyn Calbasa, PITX senior corporate affairs officer, said the terminal expects over 2.1 million passengers until Nov. 5.

“The figures are much higher last year due to the longer holiday, but the average foot traffic this year is higher, as we are now averaging 160,000 daily,” Calbasa told The STAR in a message.

Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office does not see the need to deploy marshals in buses as people start traveling to provinces for Undas, NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said yesterday.

“We are limited to inspections and police presence. If someone sees suspicious acts, our police officers can quickly reach the area,” Aberin said during the inspection of bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City yesterday.

“For now, there is no reason to deploy bus marshals. You can just imagine, with the total number of buses, we will run out of personnel,” he added.

Aberin said that on the eve of All Saints’ Day, the situation across bus terminals and cemeteries in Metro Manila remained “generally peaceful,” with police to be on full alert until Nov. 3.