Sunday, March 23, 2008 'Zero crime' in Cebu ports, say managers
SEA and air travel authorities said there was zero crime in the ports during Holy Week, which they attributed to improved preparation and security measures implemented by agencies under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Cebu Port Authority (CPA) Deputy General Manager Dennis Villamor said that port policemen and security guards were not allowed to take a vacation so that they had enough personnel to watch the port gates, roads and berthing areas.
Capt. Glenn Sarador, CPA police chief, said that with the cooperation of the DOTC’s sea cluster agencies, they maintained order in the ports. He recognized the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina) 7, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for the help.
Sarador said the waterfront Cebu City barangays of Tejero, Mabolo, Tinago, Sto. Niño and San Roque were kept peaceful by the Land Transportation Office (LTO), PNP Regional Maritime Office 7, and the Cebu City Police Office’s Waterfront and Mabolo police stations.
Volunteer power
He also cited the private sector for providing assistance to travelers.
He identified them as the arrastre operators, including the Oriental Port and Allied Services Corp., shipping companies, porters, the Cebu City Traffic Operations and Management, the LTO-deputized agents of Task Force Alpha, and radio group volunteers.
“The port situation in the Cebu baseport as of yesterday was generally peaceful,” Sarador said.
This was also true for other Cebu Province ports particularly that in Hagnaya, San Remegio town, and in the towns of Sta. Fe and Argao.
NTC 7 Director Danilo Sy also said that no untoward incident has been reported or received by their communication system as of yesterday.
Atty. Vicente Gador Jr., LTO 7 operations chief, said that with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 7’s support, the Citom and other concerned agencies, there was order at the Cebu South Bus and the Cebu North Bus Terminals.
He said they monitored traffic in Minglanilla town, apprehended unlicensed drivers, and seized unregistered motorcycles.
The LTO concentrated on Minglanilla because of the municipal government-spearheaded Easter Sunday activities, which usually draw the largest crowds in Cebu’s Holy Week celebrations. (EOB)
