POLICE ASSISTANCE. Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo (left), officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office, inspects the police assistance hub at San Sebastian Cathedral on Wednesday (March 28, 2018). (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City Police Office)
BACOLOD CITY -- The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has deployed 126 personnel in churches and other public places here as part of the full security alert for the Holy Week.
Senior Supt. Francisco Ebreo, officer-in-charge of BCPO, on Wednesday said these personnel are manning 46 police assistance desks supervised by the commanders of all 10 police stations.
Since Monday, assistance hubs have been set up in churches, sea ports, transport terminals, beach resorts, and even shopping malls. Major shopping malls in this city, however, are closed for Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
On Wednesday afternoon, Ebreo inspected the police assistance desks in various churches and at the Bredco port. Each desk is manned by at least two police officers.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Office also intensified visibility and patrol operations to ensure public safety for the rest of the Holy Week.
Senior Supt. Rodolfo Castil Jr., police provincial director, said earlier that Negros Occidental police personnel are also assigned to man assistance hubs and watch terminals, ports, malls, churches, and other areas of convergence.
Police units also conduct mobile patrol operations in residential subdivisions, villages, and roads of their respective areas of responsibility, he added.
Castil urged Negrenses to be vigilant themselves during the Holy Week as lawless elements are just waiting for opportunities to strike.
He urged those leaving their homes not to tell other people of their plans and make sure house doors are locked and appliances are unplugged and faucets are turned-off, and have their curtains and windows closed to avoid exposing valuables and appliances. (PNA)
