By Ric Sapnu/Philippine News Agency
CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Additional police personnel were dispatched to various areas in Central Luzon in anticipation of the influx of people this Holy Week.
Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, Police Regional Office-3 (PRO3) director, said on Tuesday that aside from the more than 5,000 police already deployed for the entire summer holiday season, another 500 were sent out solely for the Holy Week.
“We are expecting influx of passengers in bus terminals and at the same time, pilgrims and devotees to local churches and pilgrimage sites are expected to flock especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday. That is why I have ordered the maximum deployment of our personnel as well as I have tapped the support of other police units within the region,” Coronel said.
He also said they have solicited the support of force multipliers and auxiliary forces to include barangay peacekeeping action teams and radio net groups to help them ensure public safety.
He said that police presence will be intensified through increased foot/mobile patrols and established police assistance desks/centers.
Also, Coronel said road safety marshals are being deployed in convergence points, particularly in bus terminals, airport, seaports and recreational areas including highways, main thoroughfares and crime prone areas to ensure maximum police presence.
“I have directed all city and provincial directors from the different police provincial and city police offices to personally inspect their men on the ground to ensure the safe and secure travel of motorists and commuters this Lenten season and summer vacation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Coronel advised the public to stay alert and vigilant so as not to fall victims to criminals.
“Once again, I am calling for the cooperation of the public to prevent any crime in the community by providing authorities relevant and timely information through PRO3 hotline 0998-598-5330/ 0917- 556-2597 and social media (Facebook account: www.facebook.com/PoliceRegionalOffice3/). Our “SUMVAC 2019′ started last March 25 and will remain in effect until June 13, 2019,” he said.
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