Be early at ports for security checks, vacationers told

MANILA, Philippines - Vacationers going to the provinces for the Holy Week should be at ports early to undergo stricter security checks, the Philippine Coast Guard said Thursday. Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo said he ordered all PCG unit and district commanders to be very strict in their security checks especially at this time. "Nagsimula na tayo maging vigilant, visible at prepared. Kahapon nagkaroon kami ng command conference, nagbigay ako ng utos unit and district commanders na pagibayuhin ang kanilang screening ng pasahero [We will now be more vigilant, visible and prepared. We had a command conference Wednesday and I told my unit and district commanders to be stricter in screening passengers]," Tamayo said in an interview on dzXL radio. He also asked passengers for understanding for the screening. Tamayo said vacationers taking seagoing vessels should go to the ports early for security screening, and to not bring prohibited items like bladed weapons and toxic substances. "Agahan ang pagpunta at planuhin nang maayos ang biyahe [Be early at the ports and plan your trip in advance]," he said. He said the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has set up help desks and action hotlines. Tamayo said the Coast Guard, which is under the DOTC, has hotlines 5278481 and 5273877, and text line 0917-7243682 (0917-PCGDOTC). - GMANews.TV