PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. has ordered the deployment of police marshals in passenger buses and bus terminals to protect travelers from criminal gangs.

Public Affairs Chief Col. Jean Fajardo said that marshals will be deployed inside buses in Metro Manila and in the provinces.

Acorda’s order came following the killing of a couple inside a Victory Liner bus enroute to Metro Manila from Cauayan, Isabela. ‘

“What we are doing is to have police intervention wherein policemen will serve as marshals,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo said Acorda also directed security guards of bus companies to be more vigilant.

The PNP chief also directed head of PNP’s Office for Security and Investigation Agency (Socia) to formulate a security mechanism in detecting contraband in bus terminals.

Fajardo said Socia was advised to direct bus management officials to put secret marshals to protect passengers using public transportation vehicles.

“It is imperative for private security guards posted in bus terminals to also employ tight security procedures using bomb sniffing dogs in detecting narcotics and other contraband,” Fajardo said.