CSBT asks CPPO for police security
The management of Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) has asked the Cebu Provincial Police Office to detail again uniformed police personnel at the terminal to beef up its security.
The four police officers assigned at the terminal were pulled out last month.
Joey Herrera, manager of CSBT, said the presence of policemen contributes a lot to the security system of the terminal considering the volume of passengers that flock to the facility every day.
"Para nako, dako unta ikatabang sa bus terminal because they do random checks on personnel unya naay deterrence because of the presence of our policemen," Herrea said.
Herrera admitted that they lack security personnel from the Capitol and additional men from the police force will be of big help to them in monitoring and securing the passengers.
Although there are random inspections conducted by Army personnel, there is also a need to have a regular K9 unit at the terminal to check the baggage of passengers.
Last week, almost 50 smuggled firearms were not detected by terminal security and these were only discovered at the port in Samboan town.
Herrera admitted there were security lapses in the terminal but he assured they are strictly implementing security measures now.
"I'm hoping nga that incident katong sa armas nalutsan, wakeup call sa CPPO nga some government facilities kinahanglan gyud or naay presence sa policemen," Herrera said.
Herrera said Regional State Prosecutor Fernando Gubalane also wanted police personnel at the terminal since they have a task force from Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) monitoring human traffickers who are travelling in Cebu province with minors.—
Le Phyllis F. Antojado/MBG