The Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) has deployed more than 1,500 personnel nationwide to secure major roads, bus terminals, and cemeteries during the annual observance of Undas from Oct. 29 to Nov. 4.
HPG spokesperson Plt. Nadame Malang said the group began its deployment on Wednesday, covering at least 141 cemeteries across the country with 375 patrollers assigned.
He added that the HPG has deployed ‘not less than three to four HPG patrollers’ per cemetery to ensure the safety and security of motorists and visitors.
The HPG also deployed 268 personnel to monitor 97 major thoroughfares and 235 patrollers to oversee 91 major bus terminals nationwide. Around 800 more HPG officers remain on standby for checkpoint operations and administrative duties.
The PNP’s ‘heightened alert’ status will remain in effect until Nov 4.
24/7 monitoring
The HPG said its 11 regional offices are under round-the-clock monitoring through the Tactical Operations Center. Motorists who encounter problems on the road are urged to call 911 or the HPG hotline for immediate assistance.
The agency also warned the public against using colorum or unauthorized vehicles for travel, citing safety and insurance risks.
‘These colorum vehicles are not authorized by the LTFRB (Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board) or LTO (Land Transportation Office). If they figure in accidents, victims may not be covered by insurance,’ the spokesperson said.
To address this, the HPG has coordinated with the LTO to monitor illegal transport services, deploying three teams nationwide to track colorum vehicles.
Moreover, the HPG reminded travelers to check their vehicles before hitting the road and to ensure they carry proper documents as part of the agency’s updated safety checklist, DR. BLOWBAGETS, which now includes ‘D’ for driver’s license and ‘R’ for vehicle registration. The rest of the acronym stands for battery, lights, oil, water, brakes, air, gas, engine, tires, and self.
‘Many motorists forget their driver’s license or their registration documents, so we want to remind everyone to bring these along,’ the HPG said.
In Metro Manila, HPG Director PBGen Hansel Marantan is set to lead inspections of major bus terminals and cemeteries alongside the National Capital Region Police Office during the Undas holidays.