PNP inspects three main bus terminals

April 17, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday conduct an inspection at three main terminals and airports.

On board his motorcycle, PNP head General Oscar Albayalde arrived at Araneta bus terminal in Cubao around 10:30 am.

With him is National Capital Region Police Major General Guillermo Eleazar, PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac and Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., QC police director.

Albayalde started his inspection by checking his blood pressure in the installed medical assistance desk. Then he spoke with passengers waiting for their ride.

He told the officer in-charge to voluntary do blood pressure checks to passengers.

“With regards to security we don’t see any problem as of this time although we are not keeping our guards down here especially on bus terminals… the only concern (of the passenger) is the lack of air-conditioned buses,” said Albayalde.

He also spoke to the bus driver during inspection.

According to Albayalde, the PNP has not received any threat.

“But even without threat, we are always on alert and our intelligence monitoring should be always in place,” Albayalde said.

According to an official of Araneta bus terminal management, they are expecting an influx of passengers bound for provinces by afternoon or evening.

“We are expecting around 7,000 to 8,000 passenger per day,” the official told The Daily Manila Shimbun.

Albayade visited next a terminal in Pasay City followed by inspecting the Ninoy Aquino Terminal Airport. His last stop is the Paranaque Integrated Terminal Exchange.

“On all the terminals we inspected… so far everything is going smoothly and of course the deployment of the Philippine National Police and their police assistance desk are all in place and we were able to see it,” Albayalde said.

He said they want the passenger to feel safe.

“It is important that our passengers (and) commuters to feel safe. They should have confidence to ride our public transports. This is what we ensure, the safety of our commuters. That’s why we are conducting inspection,” he said.

Albayalde said he is so far satisfied with their security preparations.

“Not only the security of PNP but also the support of our different government agency. During SumVac operations, a lot of agencies are involved and we are happy to note that those who are involved have their assistance desk in place,” he said.

He added they also have good coordination with the private sector as they make up for what is lacking in security measures.

“Like K-9. We cannot place all K-9 dogs in every areas so they are providing that additional security,” said Albayalde.

He added they will provide additional security through tourist police trained by the Department of Tourism.

Based on his observation from previous years, Albayalde said people are now more disciplined.

“As of this time, we were not able to seize any (contraband) even on big terminals so I think they are now educated,” he said.

The PNP chief said they deployed around 90,000 police personnel nationwide and are on full alert status for areas where a lot of Filipinos are spending their Holy Week activities.

“When we say full alert status, all our personnel should be counted 100 percent. All the leaves are cancelled except for those that are emergency in nature. All our police personnel are present in their different offices and stations in case they are needed. NCRPO is under full alert status, on other places especially those who are not being visited by tourist are placed under heightened alert only,” said Albayalde.

Albayalde urged the public to vigilant and observant as they recorded 26 incidents with drowning being the main reason. Ella Dionisio/DMS