CEBU, Philippines - Aside from the 117 tourist policemen who were deployed to respective police stations in the entire Cebu province yesterday, 159 additional policemen will be deployed tomorrow as augmentation force in Bantayan island as well as the municipalities of Minglanilla and San Remigio.
The augmentation force includes two teams from the Special Reaction Unit, three K9 units and personnel from intelligence units.
Area supervisors are already in place with Supt. Henry Biñas for Metro Cebu south, Supt. Rodolfo Albotra for Metro Cebu north, Sr. Insp. Gerard Pelare and Chief Insp. Jovito Canlapan for the Second District, Chief Insp. Ali Baron for the Third District, and Supt. Elmer Lim for the Fourth District.
Supt. Renato Malazarte is the area supervisor for Bantayan Island while Supt. Resty Santos is assigned to the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) headquarters.
Area supervisors are tasked to check if all their deployed personnel observed all the security measures.
The tourist police were deployed right after the ceremonial launching held at the CPPO quadrangle.
They are tasked to assist both local and foreign tourists in the entire Cebu province not only during the Lenten Season, but permanently.
Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who was one of the guests at the launching, thanked the CPPO for providing tourist police in various areas to cater to the concerns of the tourists as Cebu is known for being one of the tourist destinations in Asia.
Magpale said their deployment is a big help to the duties of the PNP because there is now a division of labor.
The Police Regional Office-7 have been on a full alert status since last week for the Lenten Season, which requires a hundred percent attendance for policemen.
Those who were able to file a leave prior to the announcement will still be on-call in case there is a need for additional personnel.
As for the Armed Forces of the Philippines- Central Command, two vessels from the Philippine Navy were also deployed to Panglao, Bohol and in Boracay to augment the PNP.
Lt. Col. Christopher Tampus, spokesperson of the Central Command, said they are still on a normal status.
In terms of augmentation, Tampus said they are just waiting for a request from the PNP.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC-7) yesterday launched their “Ligtas Cuaresma Program” in time for the observance of the Holy Week.
With the theme “Ligtas, Abot-Kaya at Maasahan, Dahil Kayo ang Boss, (Safe, Affordable and Dependable, Because You are the Boss)” government agencies under the DOTC have prepared contingency and emergency plans for the Holy Week.
In a meeting held at the conference room of the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) yesterday morning, MCIA manager Nigel Paul Villarete said that more compressors are being put-up especially at the pre-departure area after most of their air conditioning units were busted.
Additional airport police are also being detailed for the safety and protection of the airline passengers.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory board (LTFRB-7) also announced yesterday that special permits will be given to passenger jeepneys and trucks that will cater to passengers going home to their respective towns.
Special permits may be availed through the LTFRB-7 office and bus terminals.
LTFRB-7 also launched their “Bantay Taxi Program” to go after erring taxi drivers who will not use taxi meters.
They will also conduct an inspection on road safety standards and put up help desks in bus terminals.
The Land Transportation Office-7 yesterday announced that they already started conducting on-site drug testing while road worthiness and inspections will be conducted on Wednesday.
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) yesterday urged ship passengers to be at the terminal three hours before departure. All pier areas in the province were also provided tents and additional chairs in anticipation of the long queues for boarding.
The PPA will also provide free drinking water to passengers. Marina-7 has started conducting random inspections on passenger ships to ensure their seaworthiness. They are also inspecting buses that will be ferried inside boats to see if they have the necessary permits.
The Cebu Coastguard has already started setting–up passenger assistance centers in the major ports of Cebu. (FREEMAN)