By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
MANILA — The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will deploy more than 2,000 personnel to secure vital installations, bus terminals, jeepney stops, churches, and other pilgrimage sites to ensure a peaceful observance of the Holy Week and summer vacation.
“We will deploy 2,229 policemen to these areas and also (to) other vital installations to ensure the safety of our kababayans, especially those who will troop to the terminals for the province. We have also ensured the establishment of Police Assistance Desks and Tourist Police Assistance Desks as pre-emptive public safety measures and for the public to report any concern for assistance,” QCPD Director, Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., said in a statement Friday.
As early as this week, the QCPD was placed on heightened alert, which will be eventually hoisted to full alert during the Holy Week, as policemen, both uniformed and in plain clothes, will be deployed in public places.
Aside from police personnel, some 3,213 barangay tanods, security guards, members of the Metro Manila Development Authority and Department of Public Order and Safety, and other force multipliers will help maintain peace and order.
“We encourage the public to report any untoward incident or suspicious things or persons for appropriate and prompt police action. They may call or text our hotlines: Isumbong mo kay Oca: 0917-8475757; I-send mo sa Team NCRPO: Globe 0915-8888181, Smart 0999-9018181; and QCPD DD’S Tipline: 0917-8611870,” he said.
Meanwhile, Esquivel also advised vacationers to make sure that their houses are securely locked. Installing burglar alarms and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras may be useful to guard against “akyat-bahay” gangs. Ensure that the appliances are unplugged.
“Keep your plans to your family and to yourself and avoid sharing flight information, such as a clear picture of your passport and flight details and do not post information on your trip real time as it may indicate that there is nobody left in your house. You may at least wait to post until you returned home from your trip,” he said.
Esquivel also encouraged those who are traveling using their own vehicles to keep in mind some useful tips, such as the acronym BLOWBAGETS, which stands for checking the vehicle’s B-battery, L-light, O-oil, W-water, B-brakes, A-air, G-gas, E-engine, T-tires/tools and S-self. It is also helpful to install cellphone applications that are useful in planning road trips and to select the shortest and safest route, as well as identifying police and motorist assistance desks and rest stops.
Motorists should always carry their driver’s license, along with the Official Receipt (OR) and Certificate of Registration (CR) of the vehicle.
“Handa po ang QCPD sa pag-responde sa mga nangangailangan. Hinihiling ko po ang kooperasyon ng publiko para sa mapayapang Holy Week at para ma-enjoy ang summer vacation (The QCPD is ready to respond to those who would need assistance. I am asking for the public’s cooperation for a peaceful Holy Week and an enjoyable summer vacation),” he said.
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