CPA revokes access passes

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Port Authority has revoked the International Ship and Port Facility Security access passes to all non-organic employees of government agencies operating within the Cebu International Port.

Oscar Lopez, CPA facility security head, said that unauthorized entry inside the ISPS zone is considered illegal.

Lopez, in his letter to Major Camilo Cascolan, Jr., district commander of BOC-Cebu Enforcement and Security Services, said that the revocation of access passes is in line with CPA’s implementation of access control policy in compliance with the ISPS Code.

ISPS Code is an amendment to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention (1974/1988) on minimum security arrangements for ships, ports and government agencies.

Lopez said that personnel who wish to gain access to CIP should write the CPA through his office.

He added that personnel who enter the CIP without prior authority may be apprehended by the CPA police force. – (FREEMAN)