• CHERYL G. CRUZ
The Philippine Coast Guard in the Negros Island Region is on red alert until Nov. 5 with the expected influx of sea travelers and beach visitors during the Undas observance.
Commodore Christopher Auro, commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, told the Negros NOW Daily that about 80 personnel have been deployed to main ports and places of convergence across the NIR since Oct. 27.
“Aside from the red alert status, we deployed additional personnel and K9 units to form part of security in main ports across NIR. We will also establish passenger assistance centers, in coordination with the Philippine National Police, Philippine Ports Authority, concerned local government units, and force multipliers” to ensure the smooth and peaceful observance of Undas 2026, Auro said.
He said mobile assets and baywatch patrols will also be deployed to beaches and resorts, and urged residents to avoid drinking alcoholic beverages before and during swimming and other water activities, to prevent any untoward incident.
“Pag pumunta po kayo sa mga beach resort, iwasan po natin na uminom tsaka lumangoy, kasi po marami na tayong incidents (of drowning) na nirespondihan. Pinagbabawal po natin ang ganitong mga gawain,” Auro said.
For those returning to their home provinces or towns for the All Souls and All Saints days, the commodore urged the early booking of trips and travel to avoid congestion in ports.
“Iwasan po natin magdala ng deadly weapons…at kung may mga bata kayong kasama, bantayan po maigi,” Auro said. | CGC
