CEBU CITY – Police in Central Visayas have been placed on heightened alert starting Monday, April 14, as part of the “Oplan: Holy Week and Summer Vacation.”
K9 units have been deployed in Cebu ports as security has been tightened in anticipation of the influx of passengers traveling for the Holy Week. (Cebu Port Authority)
Police Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Police Regional Police-Central Visayas (PRO-7), said more than 2,000 policemen will be deployed in various areas to ensure a peaceful observation of the Holy Week.
Maranan said the bulk of the policemen will be deployed in major churches, terminals, and tourist destinations.
He said the island of Bantayan, a top destination in Cebu during holidays, will be one of the focus.
“Local tourists will be going there. Our motorist assistance desk in major thoroughfares will be placed to assist travelers,” said Maranan.
Police Col. Jovito Atanacio, chief of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, said a meeting has been held for the three police stations in Bantayan Island to make sure that all security measures are in place.
The Cebu Port Authority (CPA) is gearing up for the influx of passengers, who will be traveling to and from Cebu during the Holy Week.
The CPA recorded a total of 35,982 inbound and outbound passengers on Sunday, April 13.
Mary Knoll Lague-Bolasa, information officer of CPA, said the peak for outbound passengers is expected on Wednesday while the peak for inbound passengers will be on Sunday.
CPA monitoring showed that 16,173 inbound and 19,809 outbound passengers passed through the port on Day 1 of the Oplan.
The CPA deployed additional personnel and coordinated with shipping lines, the Philippine Coast Guard, and other agencies to ensure passenger safety and security during the Oplan from April 13 to 20.
Also on heightened alert is the Land Transportation Office-Central Visayas, which deployed personnel as early as April 11 to inspect major terminals and ports across Central Visayas, especially in Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental.
CPA General Manager Francisco Comendador III announced the activation of 24/7 monitoring by the CPA Operations Center.
All ports in Cebu have been placed on heightened alert.
Comendador said over 400 port police and security personnel, 23 K9 units, and two patrol boats have been deployed at Cebu Baseport and other facilities.
The CPA partnered with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Maritime Industry Authority, and the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure smooth operations in ports where Malasakit Help Desks and first-aid stations have been set up.
Passengers were reminded to book tickets in advance, arrive early, and adhere to the “No Ticket, No ID, No Entry” policy being strictly enforced.