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PCG enhances security in ports as thousands return to Metro Manila on Easter Sunday
PCG enhances security in ports as thousands return to Metro Manila on Easter Sunday
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said it has further enhanced security measures in sea ports as thousands of travelers started returning to Metro Manila on Easter Sunday, March 31, after spending the Holy Week break in the province.
As of 12 noon, the PCG recorded 69,161 outbound passengers and 51,402 inbound passengers in all ports nationwide.
“Whatever safety and security measures that we have implemented when they were going to the province, we even intensified it now that they are returning. We don’t want to encounter any problem especially since we are already on the final day of the Holy Week,” PCG spokesperson Rear Adm. Armando Balilo said in a radio interview over DZBB.
Aside from those returning to Metro Manila, the ports are also brimming with travelers who went to the capital region and returning to their home provinces.
In Oriental Mindoro, the Calapan Port was packed with travelers securing tickets in long queues.
“Talagang maraming tao pauwi galing Mindanao, Visayas at pupunta sa Batangas (There are really a lot of people from Mindanao and Visayas, going to Batangas),” Balilo said.
PCG Commandant, Adm. Ronnie Gil Gavan instructed the ground officers to monitor the situation and help in ensuring security and order at the port.
“We expect that before this day ends, all of them will be able to return to their homes,” the PCG spokesperson added.
Meanwhile, the PCG advised travelers to refrain from boarding colorum passenger boats.
“So far, we have not received any report yet about such cases. The PCG Commandant gave a strict order to the district commanders to intensify the monitoring of overloaded boats and ensure the passengers are all written in the manifesto to avoid unfortunate incidents,” Balilo said.
Relatedly, Balilo said the PCG regrets that its official Facebook account remains hacked and is yet to be retrieved as of this writing as the agency could have posted relevant updates on social media to keep the public informed about the status of ports.
"Talagang tinatarget tayo. Ongoing ang coordination natin, tinutulungan tayo ng DICT (We are really being targeted. Our coordination is ongoing and we are being assisted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology)," he said.
"Nanghihinayang kami kasi maraming information na pwedeng ilabas today tungkol sa mga byahe ng mga barko pero wala tayong magawa. Hintayin natin ang reply ng Meta (We really regret this incident because there are a lot of information that we could have released today about the trips of ships but we cannot do anything about it. Let's just wait for the reply of Meta)," he added.