Interagency Coordination Keeps Cebu Ports Safe

Different stakeholders in coordination with the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) assured the public that they are taking solid security measures to keep port operations safe in light of present terrorism threats.

Port Management Department Manager Oscar Lopez considers the Cebu ports as one of the safest ports because of the interagency support in security and safety.

“Continuous vigilance is very important to us. Security is everyone’s business so it cannot be confined to only one government agency. Passengers can be a threat. Passengers can be the target,” Lopez said.

He noted the need to continually improve equipment and skills of security personnel.

The Maritime Industry Authority-7 (MARINA-7), 701st Maritime Police Station, Bureau of Customs-Cebu (BOC-Cebu), Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources-7 (BFAR-7), and Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) all play a part in keeping the Cebu ports safe.

PCI Jose Losbanos, Deputy Station Chief of the 701st Maritime Police Station explained that they are intensifying intelligence profiling of incoming and outgoing passengers.

Cargos also go through thorough inspection via machines and examination process to determine if there are precursors of weapons of mass destruction, shared BOC-Cebu Officer-in-Charge and Deputy Collector Dr. Wivina Pumatong.

As to smuggling, she adds that they do monitoring and have advance notice in arrival of vessels through electronic manifest.

“If there are doubts in the integrity of the cargo, we will conduct examinations,” Pumatong said.

BFAR handles examination of imported fishery products and prevent illegal trade of dynamited, illegal and endangered fishes, explained Fishing Regulation Officer Randolf Corrales.

BOQ Director Dr. Emmanuel Labella shared that they do joint inspections, port walks, and ocular inspections of ports and vessels in coordination with the CPA as part of their mandate in maintaining health and sanitation and prevent the spread of deadly infectious diseases.

Dr. Labella added that the Bureau of Immigration also checks passengers and crew of vessels from foreign countries to check for terrorists or other names that may be in the international list of wanted criminals.

CPA General Manager Angelo Verdan assured that they are strict in inspections, with several ways of detecting through x-ray machines, magnetic detections, and manual checking.

“Rest assured our staff are always on the alert and incoming passengers are assured safety within the port and its premises,” Verdan said. (jsme/PIA-7-Cebu/asv)