Wharf in Cagayan de Oro City under tight watch

SECURITY at the Macabalan wharf in Cagayan de Oro City has been tightened since Friday (May 26, 2017), a report reaching the DayBreak said.

Engr. Claro Samuel P. Fontanilla, chairperson of Bids and Awards Committee (BAC)-Civil Works, said the Philippine Ports Authority-Port Management Office (PPA-PMO) in Northern Mindanao raised the security measures to level 2, which is higher than the normal security state of the area.

Under alert level 2, Fontanilla said  security forces check every vehicle and passenger upon entering the port.

Based on the directive of te Department of Transportation (DOTr), he said the Philippine Coast Guard is taking the lead in securing all ports in the country with the Maritime Police.

"They now have all the manpower and security compliments, said Fontanilla as heguested "Ang Rehiyon Karon episode" aired over the government-run, Radyo ng Bayan.

There are also presence of the K-9 units all over the place and additional personnel to the city port which ensure passengers that security of the area is under control.

“Kami makapasalig nga aduna kita'y enough nga security nga mu-handle sa mga security requirements diha sulod sa atong pantalan (We assure that we have enough security to handle the security requirements inside our port),” Fontanilla said.

Moreover, for the safety and security of the riding public, the PPA-PMO Misamis Oriental/Cagayan de Oro put up two more x-ray machines--one at the pre-departure area at the passengers’ terminal and the other is at the pedestrian entrance. There is also one x-ray machine at the port workers gate at the access control center.

On the other hand, Lemuel Ian T. Moralda, Port Security Bids and Awards Committee (PSBAC) secretariat, requested the passengers’ patience due to the security tension.

“Muhangyo mi ug gamay na pagsabot sa atong publiko nga medyo tight ang inspections sa atong mga sakyanan ug sa mga tao so medyo malangan gayud no, (We ask for a little understanding from the public that we have tight inspections to the vehicles and passengers so we really have delays)” he said.

Also, Moralda asked the riding public to avoid bringing of the prohibited loads such as the alcoholic liquids and combustible materials like the lighter to avoid more delays during inspections.(Cherryl Juranes/PIA10)