By Pamela Mariz Geminiano/Philippine News Agency
BAGUIO CITY — A total of 800 uniformed policemen were deployed at the different tourist attractions in the city on Wednesday, said Col. Allen Rae Co, Baguio City Police Office acting city director.
“The 500 personnel will come from BCPO and 300 from the Cordillera Administrative Region Training School (CARTS). Out of the 300, the 200 are Police Patrolman and 100 are Police Lieutenants who are undergoing training,” Co said.
Co was with other officials during the launching of the annual search for Baguio- Benguet lucky summer visitors, which was organized by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) at the media camp in Burnham Park.
He said he will bring out most of the police personnel in the different offices and assign them on the streets, leaving
“Initially we have already 11 public assistance centers in the different tourist spots here, while seven motorist assistance centers have been set up. This is aside from the personnel who will patrol for police visibility at the villages,” he said.
Co said that aside from the policemen, volunteers from the different communication groups and emergency responders have also been deployed in identified areas of operation.
“Their primary function is motorist assistance and to aid the tourists, giving directions,” he said.
Boy and girl scouts members will also help man the traffic at the central business district.
He said that there will be 100 percent police visibility around the city to help locals and tourists.
“We do this every year as part of our security plan. This is a part of our annual preparation in SumVac (Summer vacation) where we deploy policemen at the tourist destinations,” he said.
The national roads leading to Baguio will also be manned by communication and rescue groups, which, for years, have been providing motorist assistance.
“Our tourists has nothing to worry about because we will perform our duties so they can just enjoy their stay in the city of pines,” the police officer said.
Currently, the BCPO key officials are crafting their master action plan to improve the peace and order in the city.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, Police Regional Office Cordillera chief, said that a total of 3,600 uniformed police personnel were deployed in the different tourist destinations across the region.
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