BI tightens security for All Saints, ASEAN

MANILA, Philippines — Not discounting the possibility that terrorists would take advantage of the influx of passengers during the upcoming holdays, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente instructed Bureau of Immigration (BI) personnel to beef up security at the country’s airports and seaports.

During the observance of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2, terrorists might try to use the high volume of inbound and outbound travelers and the confusion that comes with a large crowd to slip into the country and disrupt activities in the upcoming 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and Related Meetings set on Nov. 13-15.

BI acting spokesman Grifton Medina said immigration officers in all international airports and seaports nationwide have been instructed to be doubly strict and vigilant in screening travelers. 

“Our officers were told to refer for secondary inspection foreigners who have doubtful purposes in entering the country and those who have questionable travel documents,” Medina said. 

Departing Filipinos would also be thoroughly screened to ensure that they are not victims of human trafficking and illegal recruitment, he added.

Morente cancelled the leaves of BI employees assigned at the ports starting Oct. 29 unless they are able to present valid reasons for being absent from work.

“Commissioner Morente has also alerted our personnel assigned to border crossing stations in Mindanao and Palawan to coordinate and team up with other agencies such as the Navy and Coast Guard in policing our backdoors in the South,” Medina said. 

Meanwhile, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Captain Armand Balilo said they are expecting the volume of sea travelers to peak starting today until Oct. 31.

Since they officially implemented Oplan Biyaheng Ayos last Oct. 26, they have observed that the volume of passengers in several ports were still manageable.

Balilo said passengers bound to and from Manila and going to the Visayas and Mindanao might build up on Oct. 29 and 30, while many of those traveling only short routes such as Batangas to Mindoro might start their trips on Oct. 30 and 31.

Oct. 31 has been declared a special non-working day, while Nov. 1 is a regular holiday.

He also appealed to passengers to travel early to decongest the number of people at the ports. They should also be at the seaport at least three hours before departure time.

He added that they have already increased their visibility and security at the various seaports nationwide to assist the passengers.

“The bottom line here is security and safety. All our operating units have been placed on heightened alert. Coast Guard officer-in-charge Commodore Joel Garcia has also given instructions that if our personnel in Bicol and Batangas would need additional Coast Guard personnel, our headquarters would be sending them augmentation teams,” Balilo added.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Manila International Airport (MIAA) started implementing Oplan Undas 2017 last Friday in  anticipation of the heavy volume of passengers going to different provinces to commemorate All Saints Day and All Soul’s Day.

Under the said operation plan, CAAP added security measures that will be in place to ensure safe, reliable and convenient operations at all 39 commercial airports in the country in the next two weeks.

MIAA and CAAP have coordinated with domestic airlines regarding the efficient processing of passengers, especially at check-in counters and additional airline personnel will be deployed as needed to accommodate travelers.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said that his office provided medical tents with sufficient doctors and nurses, help desks for passengers inquiries and more security personnel including bomb sniffing dogs to patrol the four terminals so that passengers will feel secure while at the airport.

Domestic check-in counters will be open two hours before scheduled departure, while passengers on international flights counters may check in three hours before departure. Counters will be closed 45 minutes before actual departure time.

Ninoy Aquino Internationa Airport (NAIA) terminal managers and personnel from the Public Affairs Office will be visible to entertain passengers inquiries or complaints, if any.

Monreal is scheduled to inspect NAIA terminals on Monday morning to ensure that all facilities and services are ready and properly manned. 

Travelers are reminded not to bring prohibited items to the airport and to stow all belongings in one’s carry-on baggage for faster processing at the screening checkpoints.

Road safety

A road safety advocacy group yesterday appealed to motorists traveling this All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day to drive safely, especially when they have children traveling with them.

According to Einstein Rojas, a member of the New Vois Association of the Philippines, “it is imperative that motorists observe all the necessary safety precautions when driving home to their respective provinces or even just staying in the metropolis for the holidays.”

“ It is important for us to stay safe when on the road as untoward incidents are easily avoidable if proper safety measures are observed,” he said.

Roas noted that motorists should observe simple road safety tips such as “not calling or texting while driving, not drinking alcoholic beverages if you will drive and not driving if you are sleepy.”

He underscored the importance of always wearing seatbelt and always following traffic rules, especially speed limits. 

For those riding motorcycles or bicycles, Rojas said they should always wear helmets.

Rojas also urged motorists to install child safety car seats in their vehicles to protect children in case of accident. With Rudy Santos, Sheila Crisostomo