ILOILO CITY — The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) has deployed 5,407 cops to boost security efforts in Western Visayas region as the holiday season started Wednesday with the simbang gabi (pre-dawn Christmas masses).

“We deployed enough personnel to strengthen police visibility, especially in highly populated areas,” said PRO-6 Director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda.
The cops are deployed from December 16, 2020 to January 3, 2021 in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
“We have to make sure that the people and their properties are safe and secure as they celebrate Christmas and New Year,” Miranda added
PRO-6 Spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong told the Manila Bulletin that one of the top priorities is for the policemen to assist local authorities in enforcing minimum health standards against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19)by reminding the public to wear their face masks and face shields and to practice physical distancing.
There are also 12,651 force multipliers that will augment the police force, most of them barangay tanods (village watchers).
PRO-6 also reminds the public to follow the government’s guidelines including the ban on big gatherings or parties.