By Annabel Consuelo Petinglay – PNA
SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – There has been no reported incident of theft or shoplifting in malls and major stores in Antique so far as Christmas shopping picks up, the provincial police reported.
Antique Police Deputy Director for Operations, Supt. Norby Escobar, said in an interview Friday that they are implementing “Oplan Ligtas Kapaskuhan” this holiday season to achieve zero major incident, especially crime against property.
“With Oplan Ligtas Kapaskuhan, our police personnel are on full alert,” Escobar said, noting that even those who are on leave, except for female police personnel who are on maternity leave, have been required to report to duty.
He urged some 800 police officers to set up checkpoints and conduct mall inspections to attain zero holiday-related incident.
Meanwhile, Escobar said provincial police personnel will secure the maiden flight of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) at the Evelio B. Javier Airport here on December 16.
“Safety and security of those who would come will also be our priority,” he said.
Cherrylyn Quanico of the Antique Provincial Government Local Economic Enterprise and Development Office said PAL’s inaugural flight is almost ready.
“It is now all systems go,” she said.
Quanico said PAL officials, Cabinet members, and other regional directors will be attending the historic reopening of the airport.
“The last airline to fly in Antique airport was that of the Asian Spirit about 10 years ago,” she said.
Asian Spirit did not continue due to the lack of passengers and the need to improve the airport.
PAL will fly every Thursday and Sunday from Antique to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga and vice versa.
