By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief PLt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Wednesday directed all local police offices to start reviewing and updating security preparations for the Christmas holiday season.
In a statement, Nartatez stressed the importance of adaptability in managing security during the festivities, in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to uphold peace and order and maintain stability in communities, ensuring that the government’s efforts against criminality are sustained during peak seasons of public convergence.
“The PNP will make the necessary adjustments in our security protocols, particularly in public areas and points of convergence, including malls, parks, terminals, and ports,” Nartatez said.
He underscored that the PNP is relying on years of experience to implement effective measures.
“Taon-taon na rin naman natin itong ginagawa kaya’t makakaasa ang publiko na alam na natin ang ating gagawin sa ganitong panahon,” he said.
“Our goal is to dispute once again that criminal activities, especially those relating to robbery and theft, go up on the days leading to Christmas and New Year. This is part of our main objective of ensuring that Filipinos can enjoy a safe and peaceful Christmas, knowing fully well that we have the longest celebration in the world,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez’s order follows the arrest in Caloocan City on Nov. 10 of two suspects linked to a series of fast-food chain robberies in Bulacan and Pampanga, just hours after the latest crime was committed in Bustos and Sta. Maria towns.
Authorities recovered a gray Toyota Avanza, two sets of license plates, a .38-caliber revolver, P23,000 in cash, and other items linked to the crimes.
On the same day, a robbery suspect, who later turned out to be Police Capt. Ronnie Sarto, who served as the assistant chief of the Station Investigation and Detective Management Section of the North Caloocan City Police Station, was killed in a shootout with fellow police officers after robbing a convenience store in Bulacan.
At a press briefing at Camp Crame on Wednesday, Bulacan Provincial Director Police Col. Angel Garcillano said investigation showed that Sarto had also been involved in other robbery incidents in the province.
“Base sa mga nakalap na ebidensya ito ay sa Marilao, sa boundary ng San Jose Del Monte and part ng Meycauayan. So dito ‘yung kanyang playing grounds kumbaga may mga coffee shops, gasoline stations, at convenience stores,” Garcillano said.
While having no derogatory record or administrative case throughout his service since joining the police force in 2006, Sarto was reportedly deep in debt after their food and ready-to-wear businesses went bankrupt. (PNA)
