Coast Guard on alert for All Saints' exodus

The Philippine Coast Guard has placed its units on early alert for the yearly All Saints' exodus as Metro Manila residents flock to the provinces to pay respects to their dearly departed. In a radio interview on Sunday, Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ramon Liwag said he issued a letter of instruction Saturday to all units to ensure the safety of passengers during the exodus and during the return after All Souls' Day. "Kahapon meron akong pinirmahan na Letter of Instruction... sa lahat na Coast Guard districts, units and stations. (Ang kanilang goal), maidaraos nang maayos ang pag-celebrate ang undas or All Saints' Day," Liwag said in an interview on government-run dzRB radio. Liwag said he expects all Coast Guard units to go on heightened alert once the number of passengers heading for the provinces starts to peak. While he did not give a specific timetable until when the Coast Guard will be on heightened alert, he said their alert will extend until the "vacationers" return. "(Nakabantay kami sa) pagbibiyahe ng mamamayan at pasahero hanggang makabalik sila sa kanilang tahanan pagkatapos ng Undas," he said. — RSJ, GMA News