GENERAL SANTOS CITY — About 10,000 police personnel and force multipliers have been deployed to parts of Region 12 (Soccsksargen) for the summer vacation and other upcoming major events and activities.
Brig. Gen Eliseo Tam Rasco, Police Regional Office 12 director, said Wednesday the move is part of the enhanced security measures being implemented in the entire region as ordered by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He said the regionwide deployment involves a total of 3,518 police personnel and 6,439 force multipliers.
The official said they specifically tapped support elements from barangay peacekeeping teams, traffic enforcement units, security guards, and other volunteer groups.
“These force multipliers are augmenting our regular uniformed personnel in securing strategic public places,” Rasco said in a statement.
He cited the local places of worship, shopping malls, public markets, commercial areas, community centers, major tourist destinations, and transportation hubs or terminals as among the strategic public places.
Rasco said the deployment is mainly aimed to ensure peaceful and orderly summer in the area, especially with the upcoming major activities.
These include the coming Holy Week or Lenten break, Labor Day, National Flag Day, Flores de Mayo and the May 13 local and national mid-term elections, he said.
Rasco said they expect the surge of other activities, such as family gatherings, town fiesta and local government-led summer festivals.
In preparation for these activities, he said they have crafted comprehensive security measures, in coordination with local units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other law enforcement agencies.
He said all police units in the area have established security plans under the “Ligtas Sumvac” (summer vacation) 2019.
Based on the PNP’s operational calendar, the summer vacation officially started last April 5, with the end of school year 2018-2019 in public schools, and will last until June 12.
Rasco said they prepared contingency measures for traffic congestions, as well as vehicular accidents along major thoroughfares, business and commercial centers, and recreational areas due to the expected increased movement of people during the period.
“Criminals, especially burglars, pickpockets, thieves, robbers and other threat groups will surely take advantage of these situations by engaging in criminal and nefarious activities,” he said.
Rasco reassured the public that they are prepared to counter any possible disruptions but emphasized that they also need the cooperation of local stakeholders.
“We are on top of the situation and rest assured that we are continuously working to effectively secure our communities,” he added.
For the latest updates about this story, visit the Philippine News Agency website
