By Christine Fabro
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has tightened border security to guard against the threat posed by the COVID-19 Delta variant.
In the Laging Handa public briefing on Wednesday (July 21), PCG Spokesperson Commodore Armand Balilo said the PCG will continue to patrol the waters of General Santos (GenSan) City, close to some Indonesian islands.
PCG also monitors vessels passing by Tawi-Tawi’s sea borders with Malaysia to ensure that only those approved for repatriation can pass into Philippine seas.
“Wala tayong masyadong suliranin dito sa bandang GenSan at sa boundary ng Indonesia, sapagka’t wala na po iyong border crossing agreement natin diyan, medyo matagal na. At ang babantayan na lamang natin ay iyong mga cargo vessel at saka po iyong hindi magpapaalam na maaaring lumayag papunta sa ating mga lugar dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.
With regard to the tugboat with COVID-infected crew members from Indonesia, Bailo believes that there was a breach in travel protocols.
“Ako ay naniniwala, mayroong na-violate dito, at kasama kami sa PCG na tumitingin kung paano pa natin maiwasan ang mga ganito sa mga susunod na pagkakataon,” Balilo said.
To date, Balilo said there are no reported cases of a ‘backdoor’ entry to the Philippine seas. – jlo
