ILOILO CITY -- Roughly 5,000 security forces from the Police Regional Office 6 have been deployed in the different areas of Western Visayas for a secured, orderly and peaceful observance of Holy Week.
More than 6,000 volunteers will also serve as augmentation force, said Supt. Cesar Hawthorne Binag, PRO-6 regional director chief, in a press conference on Wednesday.
Binag said that these security forces were deployed in areas of convergence, especially seaports and terminals.
Binag led the inspection Wednesday morning in different seaports and terminals within the city like Ortiz Wharf and Iloilo Ferry Terminal, among others to check the current status of these areas.
“It is still normal. It is not yet the peak day because there is still work but we expect that this afternoon it will already start since the workers (government workers) were given only half day to work today but it is still generally peaceful and orderly,” he said,
“Hopefully, we will be able to sustain this through the efforts of our different government agencies and the cooperation of the public,” he added.
During his inspection, Binag said that he has instructed his men including other personnel from law enforcement to do their best to maintain the peace and order.
He said that they are closely coordinating with other agencies like the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Ports Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Land Transportation Office, and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, among others.
He appealed to the public to help also the security forces to be vigilant and report individuals who are “suspicious looking” and civilians who carry firearms and bladed weapons.
He also encouraged them to report immediately these individuals once they encounter them so the authorities could take immediate action.
Despite the security efforts this Lenten season, Binag assured that they are maintaining their campaign against illegal drugs because drug personalities might take advantage of the season. (PNA)
