By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — With less than two weeks to go before the observance of the Holy Week, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it has started laying out its security preparations for the annual exodus of travelers to the provinces.
Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, NCRPO chief, said a total of 11,600 policemen will be deployed to secure vital installations, bus terminals, jeepney stops, airports and seaports, churches and other pilgrimage sites and even residential areas to ensure a peaceful observance of the Holy Week.
Eleazar told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that policemen will complement existing security measures such as checkpoints to deter criminals’ activities.
He said particular emphasis will be placed on securing bus terminals, seaports and airports adding that aside from the deployment of uniformed personnel, including K9 units, assistance desks will also be set up in these facilities.
He added that they are now coordinating with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to secure travelers and vacationers going to the provinces by sea as well as with airport authorities including the Aviation Security Group (ASG) to further beef up security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Entry and exit points to and from Metro Manila will also be secured, he said.
Policemen will also be deployed to keep watch over banks and automated teller machines (ATM) to deter criminals planning to target such facilities.
At the same time, he said NCRPO is coordinating with officials of the 17 local government units (LGU) in Metro Manila as well as with private security agencies tasked to guard business establishments and subdivisions considering that criminals usually take advantage when many houses are empty as their owners are away for vacation.
“Kaya nga tayo nagbibigay payo sa mga magbabakasyon sa probinsya na dapat naka-secure lahat ang ating mga bahay at kung pwede mag-iwan tayo ng kaunting ilaw. Wag din po natin sabihin sa lahat na wala pong tao sa bahay natin especially in social media (We advise those going to the province to secure their houses and leave some lights on. Let us also refrain from telling others that nobody is home, especially on social media),” the Metro Manila top cop said.
He said the public can report any untoward incidents or crimes through the NCRPO hotline 0915-888-8181 or 0999-901-8181.
The NCRPO chief also reminded vacationers to make sure their vehicles are in good running condition to avoid accidents.
