Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard and the national police urged port travelers to refrain from engaging in illegal transactions amid passenger influx and delayed trips during the holiday season.
On Tuesday, Dec. 24, the PCG said two individuals at the Batangas port were apprehended for offering unauthorized services intended to expedite boarding in exchange for a fee.
The coast guard said it is looking into the possibility of more accomplices involved in the scheme.
The suspects are now facing charges in violation of the Revised Penal Code for causing damage to others by deceit.
“Passengers are reminded to report any suspicious activities to port authorities and avoid engaging with unauthorized individuals,” the PCG said in a statement.
Since the weekend, passengers in Batangas have expressed frustration over delayed trips and a disorganized system, with many travelers waiting up to 20 hours just to board a vessel.
The Philippine Ports Authority earlier urged shipping lines to add more vessels and fix its online ticketing system to accommodate the influx of passengers.
The agency said it is estimating around 4.5 million passengers from Dec. 15 to Jan. 5.
