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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Government agencies join forces vs travel-related scams as Holy Week exodus starts

Government agencies join forces vs travel-related scams as Holy Week exodus starts

Published Mar 25, 2024 05:25 am

Government agencies have joined forces to protect the public against travel-related cybercrimes and other online scams as millions of people are expected to troop to various transportation hubs across the country for the long Lenten break.

Citing past records, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said the number of online scams usually go up during long holiday breaks and this is the reason why they launched an online platform to combat the illegal activities. 

He particularly mentioned the travel scams wherein the perpetrators would dupe victims with fake transportation tickets and accommodations. 

“Most of the reports we received is that these scams are mostly perpetrated through text messages (short messaging system or SMS) wherein they would claim that there are promos, or discounts in buying tickets and in booking a resort,” said Uy in a press briefing at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Monday morning, March 25.

“So we are warning the public not to click any link that would be sent and instead report it to our hotline, 1326,” he added.

Uy was joined by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) chairman Don Artes, and national police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda, Jr during an inspection at the PITX.

Start of congestion

Hundreds of passengers have started to arrive at the PITX on Monday and most of them said they preferred early travel as they are expecting monstrous traffic jams and travel delays as the Maundy Thursday nears.

Since the weekend, Bautista said the number of passengers at the PITX averages 120,000 daily, “But we are expecting the number to increase, more than 150,000 in the next few days.”

Expecting monstrous traffic jams, Artes said they will be deploying more than 2,000 of its personnel in all the routes of the provincial buses going in and out of Metro Manila.

He said traffic enforcers were also instructed to ensure good traffic flow on the roads leading to and from transportation hubs that include provincial bus terminals, seaports and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

No serious threat 

Acorda, for his part, said they have not received any threat for the observance of the Holy Week and even on the observance of Ramadan. 

“So far we are not receiving any threat and in line with Ramadan, we are also supporting our Muslim brothers in the observance of Ramadan,” said Acorda.

“What we are monitoring are the expected traffic problems but government agencies are working together to ensure the safe travel of all our kababayan,” he added.

The PNP will be deploying more than 52,000 policemen who will be augmented by more than 87,000 force multipliers from various government agencies. #

Related Tags

Holy Week 2024 Department of Information and Communications Technology MMDA DILG DOTr
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