PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan — Over 400 police personnel were deployed here Wednesday to secure the safety of the public during the commemoration of All Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day.
They officially received their deployment orders to different cemeteries, churches, tourism sites, terminals, and other crowded areas in a send-off ceremony held at the Puerto Princesa City Police Office (PPCPO) in Barangay San Pedro.
PPCPO director Senior Supt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga said they were sent out under Oplan Kaluluwa and Ligtas Undas 2018 to ensure public security until 8 p.m. on November 2.
“This is a traditional celebration and we know what to do. We just hope we’ll continue to maintain a secure environment for the public. It’s difficult if one untoward incident happens, so we have to be vigilant,” he said.
Cariaga further said the police personnel will provide a 12-hour service that may extend to 18 hours when the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) declare a red alert throughout the week.
He stressed it is important that they stay alert and cooperate with residents on the reporting of information that would threaten peace and order.
“We don’t want you to relax because if you do and a bombing incident happens, Puerto Princesa City will be similar to other big cities where people might live in fear. This is a city that has not experienced that and we certainly don’t want this kind of incident,” he said.
Earlier, Cariaga reminded residents to secure and lock their homes before they leave for the cemeteries; bring enough food, water, and their own trash bags; and unplug appliances and turn off liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanks to prevent house fires.
He also warned them against bringing bladed weapons and other sharp objects, playing cards, loud speakers, and liquor as these items are prohibited. (Celeste Anna Formoso/PNA)
