In a decisive move to protect the integrity of the national transportation system, the Office for Transportation Security (OTS), led by Administrator Undersecretary Gilberto D.C. Cruz, convened a high-level coordination meeting with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on January 29, 2026.
The meeting, held at the OTS Head Office, focused on strengthening inter-agency mechanisms to prevent Philippine ports from being utilized as exit points for criminal elements and organized syndicates.
Aligned with the direct instructions of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the OTS is intensifying its efforts to neutralize illegal activities, with a primary focus on preventing acts of unlawful interference and terrorism.
During the session, officials addressed the unique security vulnerabilities inherent to the Philippines’ status as an archipelagic state. The discussion highlighted the risks posed by:
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Extensive Coastlines: Vast stretches of unmonitored territory.
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Multiple Entry Points: Numerous official and unofficial hubs that complicate oversight.
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Porous Maritime Borders: Inherent challenges in tracking movement across sea routes.
The engagement reaffirmed the OTS’s central role in developing and implementing standardized security policies across all transport sectors. Key areas of the strategic discussion included:
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Systematic Identification: Accounting for and monitoring unauthorized or illegal ports used for illicit transit.
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Intelligence Sharing: Establishing real-time data exchange between OTS and PAOCC to track criminal movement.
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Joint Operations: Enhancing regulatory enforcement to mitigate border permeability and ensure the effective exercise of maritime jurisdiction. “The safety of our borders is non-negotiable. By integrating our intelligence and operational strategies with PAOCC, we are closing the gaps that criminal elements have historically exploited,” the OTS noted during the proceedings.
The meeting was attended by PAOCC Officer-in-Charge PSO VI Ronaldo R. Mendoza (Head of the Office for Integrated Operations), along with other senior PAOCC officials and OTS Executive Assistant Atty. Ernesto V. Tendero Jr.
This partnership marks a significant milestone in the government’s commitment to adhering to international maritime obligations while ensuring a secure, seamless, and crime-free transportation network for the Filipino people.
