MANILA – The National Capital Region Police (NCRPO) on Monday said it will deploy 3,409 police officers to ensure peaceful and orderly commemoration of the All Saints' and All Souls' days.
NCRPO chief, Police Director Guillermo Eleazar, said under the “Ligtas Undas 2018”, the policemen would be assigned to their posts as early as Oct. 31 until Nov. 2. This would double police visibility in cemeteries to ensure public safety.
In Metro Manila alone, there are around 80 cemeteries and 30 columbaries, the biggest of which is the Manila North Cemetery.
"The deployment of NCRPO personnel will serve as augmentation in the conduct of preventive patrol operations, anti-criminality and anti-drug campaigns,” Eleazar said in a statement.
“I already instructed all the five district directors for the full implementation and supervision of all its resources from personnel, mobility and other logistical requirements for the smooth and successful deployment and operation on their respective area of responsibility,” he added.
The five districts covered by the NCRPO are Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).
Eleazar said the NCRPO has already started its close coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), local government units and other concerned government agencies.
“We tapped the support of other government agencies and counterparts such as the AFP, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Bureau of Fire and Protection, local government units and volunteer groups to serve as force multipliers in providing maximum security and public safety, including motorist assistance and traffic management along routes leading to different areas of interest such as cemeteries, terminals, train stations, seaports and airports,” Eleazar said.
Beat patrollers along with the K9 handlers and explosive ordnance experts will also be posted to secure key security areas and vital installations to prevent terrorist activities most likely at the four biggest cemeteries in the region.
“We assure, we supervise and we continuously coordinate with other stakeholders as well as strict implementation of security coverage and public safety operations,” Eleazar added. (PNA)
