PNP tells public to increase vigilance as Holy Week travel rush begins
Air passengers arrive at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 in this file photo taken on March 13, 2024. File photo of passengers lining up at the check-in counters of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3. The Philippine National Police urges the public to increase vigilance against criminals as travel rush starts.
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday reminded the public to remain vigilant as the exodus of travelers for the Holy Week break begins.
In a briefing at Malacañang, PNP Major General Roderick Alba said crimes during this season are often attributed to three elements: opportunity, instrumentality, and motive.
READ: Castro says President Marcos spending Holy Week break with family
“So, kailangan po nating maging vigilant tayo—we save cellphone numbers sa ating mga cellphones; at bago tayo magbiyahe ay alam natin iyong mga hotline numbers kung saan po tayo pupunta; and of course atin pong ipagbilin sa ating mga kasamahang bahay or neighbors natin iyong ating pupuntahan; and make sure na properly guarded iyong ating bahay,” Alba said.
(So, we need to stay vigilant—we should save important cellphone numbers on our phones; before we travel, we should know the hotline numbers in the area we’re going to; and of course, we should inform our household members or neighbors about where we’re going and make sure our house is properly secured.)
He added that around 65,000 PNP personnel will be deployed to terminals, transport hubs, pilgrimage sites, churches, and tourist destinations nationwide to ensure the safety of travelers and those spending Holy Week outdoors.
“We’ll also augment mobile patrols kasi po ang ating concentration ay sa highly populated areas. now mayroon pong mga kabahayan iyong mga subdivision areas, residential areas ay naiwanan po ang mga bahay—so, ito rin po ay isang focus namin,” Alba also said.
(We’ll also augment mobile patrols because our focus is on highly populated areas. Now, there are homes in subdivisions and residential areas that are left unattended—so this is also one of our priorities.)
Meanwhile, in a separate briefing on Monday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered government agencies to ensure a safe and convenient travel experience for the public.
This was consistent with Marcos’ earlier order for government agencies not to be complacent in monitoring and assisting Filipinos during the Holy Week.
