MANILA — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies are implementing stricter security measures in all airports, seaports, railways and road terminals following the blast in Basilan province which killed 11 people last Tuesday.
DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered the implementation of security protocols and called for heightened vigilance in facilities under the jurisdiction of the department.
“We should not compromise nor take for granted the safety and security in our surroundings, people and facilities. Issue alert and security protocols,” Tugade said in a statement Wednesday.
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Capt. Jim Sydiongco has directed that security protocols and alerts be heightened in all its areas of responsibility.
Office for Transportation Security Administrator Usec. Art Evangelista ordered all OTS personnel to enhance their current security measures and implement their respective security/contingency plans and manuals.
Agencies under the DOTr’s Road Sector such as the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board and the Land Transportation Office have instituted appropriate security measures to deter any threat to personnel and government facilities.
For the railway sector, all stations of the Philippine National Railways have been alerted while it has increased the presence of security personnel on passenger chokepoints according to General Manager Junn Magno.
On the part of the maritime sector, security alerts and advisories have been issued to all units of the Philippine Coast Guard.
Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Santiago, MARINA Administrator Rey Leonardo Guerrero, and Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal said they have heightened security measures in all ports and terminals and alerted personnel on the ground.
Eleven people were killed when powerful homemade bombs inside a van exploded early Tuesday at a security checkpoint in Lamitan, Basilan.
“We mourn with the families of those who were killed. We must all work together to make sure this will not happen again,” Tugade said. (DOTr-PR/PNA)
