CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – The Police Regional Office 4-A has deployed 7,706 policemen to secure “Undas” amid search and retrieval operations for victims of tropical cyclone “Paeng” in the Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon area.
PRO 4-A director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez said they are supported by 1,429 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Bureau of Fire and Protection (BFP), other agencies, and 6,985 force multipliers.
They are deployed in the 584 cemeteries and 44 columbaria in the region as well as transportation hubs and terminals and other places of convergence.
“We will provide assistance to the general public and ensure overall security since the event might be taken advantage of by various threat groups, terrorists, and other criminal elements,” Nartatez said.
“We will also re-activate and implement our public safety services and increase our Police Assistance Desks (PADs) to provide support to the general public during this season to address the upsurge of commuters, motorists, and travelers in order to prevent congestions, accidents, and other street crimes, especially along routes leading to terminals, churches and cemeteries, major thoroughfares, and other places of convergence,” he said.
“We will not allow these criminals and other lawless groups to cause any danger to our citizens, rest assured that we will perform our duty 24/7 to make our region more peaceful and safer in our observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.”
Police reminded the public to double security measures when leaving their respective unattended.
Motorists were asked check their vehicles before traveling.
“I want to appeal to our citizens to avoid bringing prohibited equipment or contraband when entering memorial parks and cemeteries to avoid any impediment,” Nartatez said.
The public was urged to be vigilant and report to authorities any suspicious persons, activities, and unusual occurrences in public or any untoward incidents and crime situations.