The Philippine National Police (PNP) has mobilized more than 65,000 personnel nationwide to ensure a safe and peaceful observance of Holy Week, PNP Major General Roderick Alba announced yesterday in a press briefing at Malacañang.
Speaking on behalf of PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Alba said the nationwide effort falls under the operational guidelines of “Ligtas SUMVAC 2025,” the PNP’s initiative to strengthen public safety during the summer vacation and Lenten season.
“We have strategically deployed our personnel and mobilized force multipliers—our volunteer groups—to key areas of convergence such as places of worship, tourist spots, terminals, highways, and other busy establishments,” Alba said.
The PNP’s heightened visibility will include enhanced police presence in transport hubs, pilgrimage sites, and residential areas that are often left unattended during the holidays. Mobile patrols will also be intensified in residential neighborhoods to prevent theft and other opportunistic crimes.
Alba noted that no specific security threats have been identified as of this time.
However, he assured that the PNP remains on full alert, especially in historically vulnerable areas, with intelligence units coordinating closely with counterparts in other uniformed services.
“We have increased deployment around vital installations such as power plants, communication infrastructure, and transport terminals,” Alba said.
Similarly, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has ramped up inspections and enforcement efforts to curb vessel overloading and ensure safety in popular tourist destinations.
Commander Michael Encina, deputy spokesperson of the PCG, said Transportation Secretary Vince Hizon has ordered the PCG, the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA), and the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to strictly monitor and prevent overloading of both passengers and cargo.
“We are not tolerating any acts of overloading—whether of people or goods,” Encina said during a press briefing.
He added that the PCG is “strictly checking the number of passengers allowed per vessel, as well as the cargo load. No exemptions.”
Encina said the PCG has reminded shipping companies to refrain from taking advantage of peak travel demand, warning them that overloaded vessels will not be permitted to depart.
He noted that tight security measures have been put in place at the North Harbor in Metro Manila, as well as at the ports of Batangas, Cebu, and Zamboanga, and sea marshals have been placed aboard long-haul voyages to ensure passenger safety.
Meanwhile, the Manila International Airport Authority anticipates 150,000 daily travelers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport during the Holy Week rush.
MIAA general manager Eric Jose Ines said from April 13-20, the projected passenger volume is expected to reach over 1.18 million, a 14% increase from last year, with further heavy traffic expected in the coming days.
“Today, NAIA is anticipating around 145,620 passengers, an increase from yesterday’s count of 142,560,” said Ines.
On Tuesday, Ines accompanied Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, New NAIA Infra Corp. General Manager Angelito Alvarez and Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado during an early morning inspection of the immigration area at NAIA Terminal 3.
The MIAA and NNIC, the airport’s private operator, assured they were on top of daily terminal operations to help ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
As part of a joint initiative, the Transportation Department, MIAA, and NNIC also provided passenger assistance help desks in Terminals 1, 2, and 3.
For its part, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board ordered a crackdown on reckless public utility drivers amid President Marcos’ call for stricter road discipline during the Holy Week diaspora.
“The President is right. This has to stop. These drivers are a threat to public safety, and we will take them off the road,” LTFRB chief Teofilo Guadiz III said on Tuesday.
He assured the agency is already working with the Land Transportation Office, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units to identify and penalize the drivers involved.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “PNP tasks 65,000 cops to ensure public safety this Holy Week”