By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Sunday intensified security operations as vacationers return to Metro Manila and other urban areas after spending the Holy Week break in the provinces.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez ordered all commanders to maintain a strong and active presence on major thoroughfares and transportation hubs.
Nartatez emphasized the need to extend assistance to other government agencies to ensure the roadworthiness of passenger buses and other public utility vehicles (PUVs), as well as the mental and physical alertness of the drivers.
“Safe travel of millions of our kababayan (citizens) remains our top priority. We remain on full alert status and our personnel on the ground are ready to respond to any peace and order and public safety concerns,” Nartatez said in a news release.
In a separate statement posted on social media, DOTr Secretary Giovanni Lopez directed the Office of Transportation Office (OTS) to strictly inspect not only the passengers’ luggage but also the OTS Security Screening Officers (SSOs) assigned to airports.
Lopez said SSOs were deployed to ensure passenger safety and prevent smuggling.
“Kung mapatunayan na ang ilang mga OTS Security Screening Officers ang nangunguna sa paglabag ng batas kabilang na ang pagnanakaw ng mga gamit o pera ng mga pasahero, tiyak na may kalalagyan kayo at sisiguruhin naming mapaparusahan ang mga nagkasala (If it is proven that some OTS Security Screening Officers are the leaders in violating the law including stealing passengers’ belongings or money, you will definitely be held accountable and we will ensure that the perpetrators are punished),” he said.
Lopez earlier ordered the relief of two SSOs and a supervisor at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 in Pasay City while an investigation is underway, in connection with the reported missing PHP7,000 and 1,000 new Taiwan dollars from an Australian national passenger.
Meanwhile, Nartatez commended all PNP commanders and personnel for the peaceful and orderly observance of the Holy Week.
“Our sacrifices, from planning to implementation of the security measures, really paid off and this was not possible without the dedication and hard work, especially of our personnel on the ground,” he said.
The PNP mobilized over 98,000 cops to secure Holy Week and placed police forces across the country on full alert until April 5.
Among the focus of deployment are churches, tourist spots, major thoroughfares, transportation hubs and other places of convergence in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure the safety of travelers and maintain peace and order even after Holy Week. (PNA)
