The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will deploy 800 tourist police officers starting April to boost safety and security in the country’s major tourism hubs.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the initiative, approved by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in coordination with the Department of Tourism, aims to increase police visibility in crowded tourist areas, deter crime, and provide rapid emergency response.
Tourist police units will be equipped with motorcycles for better mobility in busy districts and remote scenic spots, with distribution handled by the Philippine National Police.
First deployment areas include:
- Bonifacio Global City (BGC)
- Poblacion, Makati
- Boracay
- Siargao
- Cebu
- Bohol
- Puerto Princesa
The program also promotes the use of the emergency hotline 911.
“Every tourist arriving in the Philippines will be given a 911 calling card. This ensures they know we have a three-minute response time wherever they are in the country,” Remulla said.
He added that stronger tourism directly benefits the middle class:
“When tourism improves, it is the middle class that gains. They contribute the most yet often receive the least. We must strengthen them to make the country better.”