Security tight amid vacationers’ Metro return

Security tight amid vacationers’ Metro return | Daily Tribune

Police security operations remained active Sunday as vacationers began returning to Metro Manila following the Holy Week break.

This comes as National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin disclosed that inspections and monitoring of police deployments would continue.

Aberin said that increased police presence and assistance desks would remain in key areas. Visibility patrols and coordination with terminal authorities and local government units will also continue as the metropolis anticipates a surge of returning travelers.

“Metro Manila is bracing for a wave of returning travelers... Security operations remain in full swing,” Aberin said, urging the public to stay vigilant, cooperate, and report any suspicious activity to established hotlines and police help desks.

“The NCRPO is ready. We will be there in the streets to deliver safety and security services to the people,” he added.

NCRPO encompasses the police districts of Manila, Quezon City, Northern Manila, Southern Manila and Eastern Manila.

To recall, the Philippine National Police (PNP) had previously placed all units nationwide on heightened alert and deployed over 65,000 officers to ensure a safe and peaceful Holy Week.

Returning travelers began arriving in Metro Manila on Easter Sunday after the four-day break, ahead of the resumption of work and classes on Monday.

At bus terminals along EDSA in Kamuning and Cubao, Quezon City, passengers started disembarking from provincial buses before sunrise. Dispatchers anticipated the peak of arrivals to be Sunday afternoon and early Monday morning, noting sufficient buses were available to transport passengers from the provinces.

Minor traffic congestion was observed near the terminals due to arriving buses and waiting taxis.

Also, the Land Transportation Office–National Capital Region (LTO-NCR) had announced a crackdown on taxi drivers refusing or selectively picking up passengers, starting Sunday under “Oplan Isnabero” at major transport terminals.

At a bus terminal on Taft Avenue in Pasay City, passengers from Quezon and Batangas began arriving at 3 a.m. Sunday, with more expected throughout the day and evening. Terminal security reported some buses traveled to provinces empty to accommodate returning passengers.

Security was tight, with Pasay City police patrolling the area and authorities reminded travelers to remain vigilant with their belongings.

At the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Sunday morning, buses from the provinces began arriving early.

“Little by little, people are returning... We are prepared,” said PITX corporate affairs and government relations head Jason Salvador.

Salvador stated their projection of 2.5 million passengers at PITX for Holy Week 2025 was on track. He anticipated continued arrivals on Monday, with some trickling in on Tuesday and Wednesday. He also reported that no PITX personnel tested positive in recent random drug tests conducted by authorities.