SECURITY PREPARATIONS. Officials from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) discuss security preparations for the Holy Week during an inter-agency press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday (Mar. 22, 2024). The PNP said around 52,000 police officers across the country have been deployed to ensure safe travel for motorists and commuters during the Lenten season. (PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler)
MANILA – A total of 52,273 police officers across the country have been deployed to ensure safe travel for motorists and commuters during the Lenten season, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said Friday.
During the inter-agency press conference held at Camp Crame, Acorda said the deployment of the police officers will be from March 25-31 during the observance of the Holy Week for Catholics.
Of the total, 12,640 police officers will be deployed in places of worship; 17,499 in places of convergence like malls, terminals, commercial establishments, recreational parks, resorts, and tourist destinations; 9,789 law enforcers in 2,150 major thoroughfares; 3,854 in airports and seaports; and 8,491 reserved cops from Reactionary Standby Support Force (RSSF) are on standby.
“As you see today, for the PNP we have 52,000 plus personnel, and from the other agencies we have 80,000 plus, and with this, to our appreciation, there is sufficient enough personnel or manpower that is deployed in the different areas of concern,” Acorda said in a press conference.
Acorda, meanwhile, reminded the public to be wary of their surroundings to avoid being victimized by crimes during the summer break when most families leave their homes for vacation.
He also reminded travelers to deal only with legitimate travel agents or companies and be wary of offers that seem too good to be true to avoid being scammed.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said 11,347 police officers are ready to be deployed within the streets and vital installations of the capital region to conduct anti-criminality operations; target hardening measures; traffic management/direction and control and other related police public safety services.
Nartatez said police officers will be more visible and will help manage traffic and other related public safety services near transportation terminals, places of worship, malls, markets, commercial areas, and parks, as they NCRPO expect a surge of travelers to and from Metro Manila.
He said they have collaborated with local government units, other law enforcement agencies, and private stakeholders to establish a comprehensive security framework, and will establish Police Assistance Desks in places of convergence. (PNA)
