Garcia ensures south bus terminal security

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia ensured yesterday that all passengers were safe at the province-owned terminal by personally conducting inspections to see to it that all the necessary security measures are in place.

Garcia said she was pleased to see that all security measures are in place and that all concerned agencies have been helping each other to ensure public safety.

“Nindot kaayong tan-awon nga dinhi sa Cebu nagtinabangay ang tanan og niatubang sa tagsa-tagsa namo ka responsibilidad kay usa ra man ang ato tumong nga magpadayun ang Sugbo sa talagsaon ron nga paglambo,” Garcia said.

Capitol consultant on peace and order and security, retired Col. Cesar Veloso, said that they have sufficient number of law enforcers deployed at the Cebu South Bus Terminal coming from the different units.

These include policemen from the Cebu City and Province, the Philippine Army, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Civil Security Unit and terminal blue guards.

The PDEA deployed sniffing dogs from its K-9 unit to help the security guards in the inspection of the passengers’ baggage.

It has been Garcia’s routine to inspect the terminal during special occasions like All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day where an upsurge of passengers is expected.

Garcia noted the improvement in the management of the terminal since she became governor wherein boarding of passengers to respective buses is in order.

Bus passengers using the terminal are now assured of a spacious terminal without fear of being preyed upon by pickpockets because of the presence of security personnel inside the air-conditioned facility with only P5 terminal fee.

CSBT manager Carmen Quijano said they have directed their security personnel to be more alert for any possible threat during the peak days, which they expect to start today since tomorrow is a holiday.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has ordered all Local Government Units to mobilize the barangay tanods in securing the cemeteries during the observance of the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day.

Cops, barangay tanods, and other security forces should be on guard for the entire duration as criminal elements may take advantage of the long weekend to perpetrate their crimes, a DILG directive addressed to all provincial governors, city, and municipal mayors reads.

The DILG also called for the setting up of help desks with trained medics along local and national roads to provide assistance to the traveling public. (FREEMAN)