Roads, airports and seaports leading out of Metro Manila and many key cities in the country were packed as the annual Lent exodus of Filipino Catholics began to peak early Thursday. In Metro Manila, radio dzRH reported that as of 5:30 A.M., traffic was tight at the North and South Luzon Expressways as motorists and commuters headed for the provinces. Security was also tight at bus terminals, airports and seaports, which were packed as passengers jostled for a ride to their home provinces for the long weekend. The Ninoy Aquino International Airport also went on heightened alert as passengers wait for their flights to the provinces. In Quezon province, a dzRH report said many passengers were “stranded” at the Dalahican Port, as they wait for sea vessels to arrive. In Tuguegarao City in Cagayan, Filipino Catholics crowded ports as early as Wednesday night to get to other parts of Northern Luzon. Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo appealed to passengers to be patient, and to passengers in other ports to understand the tight security measures. On the other hand, cops went on heightened alert in Metro Manila and on full alert in Mindanao. In Metro Manila, police kept watch over airports, piers, bus terminals, and the Light and Metro Rail Transit (LRT-MRT) systems. A separate report on dzXL radio said Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina explained that the heightened alert seeks to protect Filipinos going home to the provinces and those staying home as well. Espina said PNP Chief Director General Jesus Verzosa had ordered intensified checkpoints against private armed groups. The heightened alert will remain in place until classes begin in June.
