The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recorded 26,323 passengers in all ports nationwide on the day of midterm elections on Monday, May 12.
The PCG said it monitored 13,691 outbound and 12,632 inbound passengers in various seaports from 12 midnight to 6 a.m.
A total of 5,437 frontline personnel were deployed by the PCG in its 16 districts nationwide to ensure the safety of sea travelers who took last-minute trips to vote in their home provinces.
In Bicol, the PCG deployed a high-speed response boat carrying personnel from Coast Guard District (CGD) Bicol’s quick reaction group at the Port of Claveria in Masbate to address issues that may arise during the poll day.
They were supporting personnel from the Philippine National Police Region 5, Philippine Army, and other law enforcement agencies, according to Commodore Ivan Roldan, commander of CGD Bicol.
The CGD Bicol urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities during the elections to the nearest Coast Guard station or sub-station.
The PCG has placed its districts, stations, and sub-stations on heightened alert from May 9 to 13 to manage the influx of port passengers related to the midterm elections.