100K cops to secure transport hubs amid Christmas, New Year exodus

The Philippine National Police said it will deploy over 100,000 police personnel to enhance security measures and increase police visibility in ports, terminals and other transportation hubs across the country as millions of Filipinos travel to the provinces to celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

PNP chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., said local police units were instructed to plan and adjust the deployment of personnel in major transport hubs to ensure the safety and orderly movement of passengers during the expected travel surge.

“I have directed our local police units to strategize the deployment of personnel in ports and terminals to increase police presence in these public areas,” Nartatez said. 

More than 100,000 police personnel will be deployed nationwide to secure the observance of Christmas and New Year. The number is significantly higher than last year’s deployment of 60,000, in order to ensure adequate coverage of transport terminals, major roads, and areas where people assemble in large numbers.

“Our security measures are in place and part of them is the regular adjustments based on the situation on the ground. As expected, there have been noticeable increase on the number of people in the terminals and the roads leading to transportation hubs, and we have been directing our personnel and resources in these areas to ensure public safety,” he added.

Nartatez also reminded the public to observe rules and regulations while traveling and to cooperate with authorities to help prevent untoward incidents.

“Our police personnel will be on the ground 24/7 not only to ensure their safe travel but also to secure business and residential areas during the entire Christmas season,” he said.

“And we ask our kababayan (countrymen) to do their share in this effort by taking safety measures for themselves and immediately inform your Philippine National Police of any peace and order-related concerns,” Nartatez added. — RF, GMA Integrated News