Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has activated an alert status across all units in anticipation of a significant increase in travelers during the holiday season, the agency announced Sunday. PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. has issued directives for heightened security protocols and enhanced police visibility at ports, terminals, and transport hubs across the country, as millions of Filipinos are expected to travel to their home provinces for the Christmas celebrations.

According to Philippines News Agency, local police units have been instructed to meticulously plan and adjust their personnel deployment in key transport areas to ensure the safety of passengers and facilitate the orderly movement of travelers. Nartatez emphasized the importance of strategic deployment, stating, "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."

The PNP's security measures include regular adjustments based on the situation on the ground. There has been a noticeable increase in the number of people at terminals and on roads leading to transportation hubs, prompting the PNP to direct its personnel and resources to these areas to ensure public safety. More than 100,000 police personnel will be deployed nationwide during the Christmas and New Year period to secure transport terminals, major roads, business districts, and residential areas. This deployment figure is significantly higher than last year's 60,000.

Nartatez also called on the public to adhere to travel rules, cooperate with authorities, and promptly report any peace and order concerns to the PNP. He assured the public that PNP personnel will be on duty 24/7 to ensure safe travel and maintain security throughout the Christmas season.