The Philippine authorities have beefed up nationwide security measures as the Holy Week holidays started on Sunday prompting Filipinos to travel across the provinces in the predominantly Catholic country.

The security is tight at major ports in the country, radio DZMM reported, and passengers are advised to be four hours ahead of departure time at ports to go though the baggage inspections and identity checks by police.

The police said their increased presence are necessary to thwart possible terrorist or criminal activity during the Holy Week.

Aside from churches and places of worship, the Philippine Natinal Police and the Coast Guard will keep an eye on tourist spots and exotic destinations such as the internationally-famous Boracay Island.

"To tourists, Boracay and other tourist spots are windows to our country," Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armand Balilo said in an interview on dzBB radio.

The Coast Guard has deployed units with rubber boats to patrol the shores near Boracay, to complement police security forces already stationed there, according to the spokesman.

Earlier, Balilo said that starting midnight Sunday, the Coast Guard will go on red alert and will remain so until April 9. The red alert aims to secure passengers returning home from Holy Week vacation in the provinces, he added.

Authorities said they expect the exodus to peak on Holy Wednesday, when office workers knock off work and head for the provinces.

Source: Xinhua