Police visibility in transport hubs intensified amid New Year exodus

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan, Philippine News Agency

NEW YEAR EXODUS. Long queues of passengers at a bus terminal in Quezon City (PNA photos by Robert Alfiler)

MANILA – Police visibility has been intensified in transport hubs, as well as on major roads and other public areas, amid the surge of travelers for the New Year’s Day celebrations.

In a statement on Sunday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said units have adjusted their deployment in key terminals, airports and ports to manage travelers.

“We expect another influx of passengers for the new year celebration, especially that there will be a long holiday break,” acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

“Our goal is to maintain police visibility for them to feel safe from the bus terminals, to the major thoroughfares and to their destinations.”

Malacañang suspended work in all government offices on Dec. 29 and on Jan. 2, 2026. Meanwhile, Dec. 30 (Rizal Day) and 31 and Jan. 1, 2026 are all traditional non-working holidays.

The PNP earlier announced that over 100,000 officers will be deployed nationwide for the holiday season, a substantial increase from last year’s 60,000 personnel.

“The mere presence of our personnel on the ground already serves as an assurance to our kababayan (countrymen) that assistance will be there,” Nartatez said.