PNP braces for return of millions of Filipino travelers after holidays

Police forces nationwide remain on heightened alert as millions of Filipinos are expected to travel back to their homes after the Christmas and New Year holidays, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

"The return of our kababayan from their home provinces is part of our security plan," PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

"Our personnel on the ground were instructed to make their presence felt from bus stations and other transport hubs from the point of origin to the point of destination, especially in Metro Manila and key urban areas," he added.

Police deployment will be maintained in bus terminals, highways, and other major transportation hubs to ensure passenger safety and to enable swift response to any peace and order concerns.

Territorial police units and the Highway Patrol Group have been directed to add visibility along major thoroughfares and highways expected to have traffic congestion, particularly entry points to urban areas.

In Metro Manila, these include the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) and the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

"We are expecting a huge volume of vehicles and this means that we have to anticipate traffic jams. And in this type of situation, the tendency to engage in road rage is high so we want to ensure that we would be able to respond in the soonest possible time for any eventuality," Nartatez said.

"But the best antidote to road rage is to plan your travel well and to be patient. Wala pong maidudulot ang init ng ulo sa kalsada (Short tempers on the road will not result in anything worthwhile)," he added.

Motorists were advised to ensure the roadworthiness of their vehicles before going on long travel to prevent vehicle breakdowns that may compromise their safety and that of their family.

"Equally important is to ensure their mental and physical readiness for long driving. Iwasan nating magmaneho kung puyat or kung may hang over pa dahil buhay ninyo at ng inyong pamilya ang pinag-uusapan dito (Let us avoid driving when we lack sleep or are experiencing a hangover. The lives of you and your family are at stake)," he added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News