By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/ PNA News
MANILA — The celebration of New Year in Metro Manila was generally safe and peaceful, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Wednesday.
NCRPO head Director Guillermo Eleazar said the peaceful celebration is because of intensified police visibility to ensure there will be peace, order, safety and joy during the Yuletide season.
Eleazar, who personally monitored the situation on Monday as he went to the areas were people converged and inspected the deployment of police personnel to ensure peace and order for the holidays.
“As the year 2019 rang the other night to unfurl a new year ahead, Team NCRPO’s full force made its presence felt and made Metro Manila a safer and more enjoyable place to celebrate the coming year. I was out checking the presence of our policemen in key areas and I felt good and proud seeing our men and women in their posts,” Eleazar said in a statement sent to Philippine News Agency (PNA).
“I saw families come out to spend their new year in and near entertainment areas, young men and women were partying on the streets in front of their homes, children ran free and happy in parks, and couples strolled hand in hand with nary a care in the world. Team NCRPO successfully saturated the New Year’s traditional “hot spots” to seal off unwanted elements,” he added.
To assist the revelers, Eleazar said the Team NCRPO also coordinated closely with the hardworking emergency service professionals, public transport staff, barangay personnel and other stakeholders involved in upholding the safety of the celebrators.
He also lauded the district directors of five districts, the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD) for intensifying the campaign against illegal firecrackers, as well against indiscriminate discharge of firearms.
“I would like to thank all our men and women in Team NCRPO for making Yuletide 2018 a safe and Merry Christmas Season for all. Through your skills and sacrifice, we have successfully carried the torch that has been passed on to us by our superiors, former Chief PNP General (Ronald) dela Rosa and our current Chief PNP General (Oscar) Albayalde. There is much reason to also thank these two leaders of ours for the continued trust they are giving each and everyone here at Team NCRPO,” said Eleazar.
He noted that there were three isolated cases of policemen firing their guns during the recent Christmas season – two incidents in Caloocan and one in Taguig, but these shooting incidents days before New Year’s Eve were criminal in nature and not gestures or displays of revelry or celebrating the season.
Eleazar said the cops involved in the incident were immediately investigated and all three policemen have been administratively and criminally charged.
He also stressed that the public should remain vigilant and promptly report any indiscriminate firing incident to the nearest police station or precinct.
“A case of indiscriminate firing by a civilian was reported in Navotas City Police Station hours before the year ended – by a concerned citizen. Within few minutes, the said person was arrested and charged by our alert and vigilant policemen. No one was hurt. Congratulations to our arresting officers,” said Eleazar
In the case of stray bullets, the Metro Manila top cop announced that there was no stray bullet incident this past season and no one in Metro Manila has been injured or killed by stray bullets.
The NCRPO chief also vowed to continue the relentless campaign against all forms of criminalities to ensure the safety of the people.
