Several government agencies on Wednesday warned the public to be vigilant against scams targeting tourists and travelers as the long Holy Week break draws near.
In a press conference at the National Cybercrime Hub in Taguig City, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Executive Director, Undersecretary Alexander Ramos said several government agencies in the cybercrime, law enforcement, transportation and tourism sectors are working together to increase the presence of their personnel to safeguard tourists and travelers during the season.
However, Ramos said there is a need for the public to recognize scams and other criminal activities to safeguard themselves.
The information campaign identified 14 different scams that the public should watch out for.
These include fake accommodations—enticing villas, apartments, or seemingly legitimate hotel rooms that are advertised at “unbelievably low rates” but are actually non-existent.
It advised travelers and tourists to book accommodations with reputable agencies or websites, verify reviews, and to speak directly with the owner or hotel.
It also called on the public to watch out against malicious public Wi-Fis that steal personal information, too-good-to-be-true deals, “free vacation” scams, fake travel agents, overpriced tours, charity cons, lost luggage sold on Facebook, fake SIM cards and cheap airline tickets sold on social media.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy some 34,000 police officers to secure travelers for the summer vacation season. Vince Lopez PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said this is part of the police force’s Oplan Ligtas Sumvac (summer vacation) which is set to be activated ahead of the Holy Week exodus.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) meanwhile is preparing for a heightened alert from March 23 to April 3 PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil L Gavan, has directed PCG Districts, Stations, and Sub-Stations to intensify seaborne patrols and safety measures on all ports and waterways nationwide.
PCG Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Armando Balilo, said this is to ensure the smooth operations of sea transport facilities, convenient sea travel, and safety of local and foreign tourists in major beach and private resorts amid the anticipated increased volume of maritime traffic.
Coast Guard personnel will also conduct 24/7 monitoring of nautical highways in western and eastern seaboards, including inter-island routes.
Western seaboard includes Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Aklan, Iloilo, and Zamboanga regions. Meanwhile, Eastern seaboard covers Manila, Bicol region, Samar, Leyte, and Surigao provinces.
Coast Guard medical officers will also be deployed to augment existing medical teams during emergencies.
PCG Auxiliary (PCGA) volunteers have been tapped to form deployable response groups (DRGs) that will assist in the upcoming Holy Week operations.