The Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up security measures in ports, terminals, and other transportation hubs nationwide as millions of Filipinos begin traveling to their home provinces for the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Acting PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered all police units to adjust personnel deployment and increase visibility in major transport hubs to ensure passenger safety and orderly travel amid the expected surge of holiday commuters.

“I have directed our local police units to strategize the deployment of personnel in ports and terminals to increase police presence in these public areas,” Nartatez said, noting that deployments are being regularly reviewed based on conditions on the ground.

The PNP chief said authorities have already observed a significant increase in the number of travelers in terminals and on roads leading to transportation hubs, prompting the reallocation of police personnel and resources to these areas.

“Our security measures are in place and part of them is the regular adjustments based on the situation on the ground. As expected, there have been noticeable increase on the number of people in the terminals and the roads leading to transportation hubs, and we have been directing our personnel and resources in these areas to ensure public safety,” Nartatez said.

More than 100,000 police personnel will be deployed nationwide during the Christmas and New Year period, significantly higher than last year’s 60,000 deployment, to secure transport terminals, major roads, business districts, and other crowded areas.

Nartatez also urged the public to follow travel rules and cooperate with authorities to help prevent incidents.

He said police personnel will be on duty around the clock to secure transportation hubs as well as residential and commercial areas throughout the holiday season.

“Our police personnel will be on the ground 24/7, not only to ensure their safe travel but also to secure business and residential areas during the entire Christmas season.”

Nartatez encouraged the public to immediately report any peace and order concerns to the police as part of a shared effort to maintain safety during the holiday exodus.

“We ask our kababayan to do their share in this effort by taking safety measures for themselves and immediately informing your Philippine National Police of any peace and order-related concerns,” he said.