Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacolod station commander Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno said they will be issuing a “heightened alert” status later this month, around the third week of December, as part of their holiday deployments.

In a phone interview yesterday with Watchmen Daily Journal, he said the alert is expected, despite not yet receiving a formal directive from central command.

Once issued, Vingno said it would end by the first week of January 2018.

He advised those traveling for the holidays to plan in advance.

The PCG official also noted, sharp objects, firecrackers, and other illegal contraband would be confiscated.

Meanwhile, Vingno said the local PCG station recently received additional equipment, along with 20 new personnel, which will result in more PCG visibility at the various seaports across Negros Occidental./DGB, WDJ