Security up for ‘Kalag-Kalag’

Law enforcers are looking out for bus or jeepney drivers who may take advantage of the influx of passengers traveling to their hometowns for the observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Six buses, four mini buses and three jeepneys were apprehended for overloading yesterday.

A bus is good for 60 passengers, a minibus carries 40 and a jeepney should only carry seven persons on each side, said Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) operations head Joy Tumulak.

Apprehended drivers were allowed to go on with the trip after citation tickets were issued and excess passengers were ordered to disembark.

About 200 Citom enforcers are on duty for the long weekend.

The City Council approved an outlay of P810,700 for meals of Citom personnel, policemen and anti-crime volunteers doing traffic and security duties from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

Several buses were given special permits to travel outside their normal routes due to the large volume of passengers.

Passengers should report reckless drivers to the nearest police station or barangay so the Land Transportation Office could take action.

LTO Regional Director Arnel Tancinco said the agency will conduct random inspections to track down colorum buses or drivers under the influence of liquor or drugs.

Operations were “peaceful” and orderly at the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City and North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City yesterday during an inspection led by Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino, police regional director.

There were 34 policemen fielded at the South Bus Terminal, where police help desks were set up for passenger assistance.

At the entrance door, two guards inspected bags and baggages of passengers while K-9 bomb-sniffing dogs were deployed in the area.

Constantino noted the absence of X-ray machines in the terminal.

Approval by the Capitol for two X-ray machines is still pending , he was told by Loy Anthony Madrigal, chief security officer.

An ambulance of the provincial government was on standby with two desks of medical teams from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

At the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City, two teams of K9 dogs and their handlers, along with 5 SWAT policemen and 13 security guards were visible.

Help desks and medicals teams were also on standby.

Nemesio Lumapac, bus terminal supervisor, said at least 10,000 passengers are expected to pass through the terminal, but he anticipated fewer travelers this year since most were able to go home earlier to vote for the barangay elections on Oct. 28.

Constantino visited two major cemeteries – Carreta and Calamba.

In Carreta cemetery, two security cameras were installed yesterday at the two main entrance gates./CHIEF OF REPORTERS DORIS C. BONGCAC, CORRESPONDENTS CHRISTINE EMILY L. PANTALEON, MICHELLE JOY L. PADAYHAG, CHITO O. ARAGON AND BJORN ABRAHAM TABANERA