GENERAL SANTOS CITY -- Police units in Region 12 have been placed under full alert in connection with the observance of the Holy Week.
Supt. Aldrin Gonzales, public information officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-12, said Monday all police personnel in the region are currently on full deployment in various strategic areas in the region.
He said the move is in line with the comprehensive security plan for the Holy Week implemented by all local police units.
PRO-12 has operational jurisdiction over the provinces of South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and North Cotabato, and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato.
The Holy Week, an annual Christian tradition, started on Palm Sunday, March 25, and end on Holy Saturday, March 31, or the day before Easter.
The Philippine National Police placed all police units in the country on full alert starting March 23 until June 13 for the Holy Week and the summer break.
While on full alert, all police personnel should be on duty and vacation leaves are cancelled. Only those under medical leave are exempted.
Gonzales said they will continue with their assigned tasks during the period, including the conduct of Oplan Tokhang and other drug-related operations.
“There’s no break for the anti-drug campaign. This will have to continue as long as the problem on illegal drugs is there,” he said.
He urged motorists to be extra cautious and always observe the necessary safety measures while travelling.
The police official advised residents who are planning to go on vacation during the Holy Week break not to leave their houses unattended.
PRO-12 earlier said it will intensify its intelligence-driven mechanisms, implement road safety measures, expand the beat and mobile patrols of mobile forces and establish police assistance desks in strategic convergence areas in the entire break.
These included major public transport terminals, seaports, airports, churches, shopping malls and other public areas.
Police teams will closely monitor the safety measures in beaches and other swimming resorts to prevent cases of drowning due to unattended children, drunkenness and variety of medical conditions.
“Rest assured that we will do our best to ensure that the observance of the Holy Week will be smooth, orderly, safe and secure. But to achieve that, we also need the cooperation of everyone,” Gonzales added.(PNA)
