The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying at least 6,000 tourist-oriented policemen in all areas where people usually go to spend the Christmas celebration and New Year revelry.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the deployment of 6,000 tourist-oriented cops is on top of the personnel that will be deployed by local police forces, adding that police assistance desks will also be set up to maximize assistance to the public.
"They will be deployed as early as possible in areas where people usually go for vacation or to celebrate Christmas and New Year," said Fajardo.
Among these areas, according to Fajardo, are churches, shopping malls, night markets and even transport hubs.
In order to ensure availability of all policemen, Fajardo said all uniformed personnel will not be allowed to go on leave for the Christmas season as part of heightened security measures for the occasion.
She said all applications for leave from Dec. 15 to Jan. 10 next year would be canceled based on the order of PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr.
Another strategy that would be implemented, according to her, is the deployment of policemen doing desk works to the streets to maximize police visibility on the streets.
Fajardo, on the other hand, encouraged the public to observe personal security measures that include refraining from wearing jewelry in public places and knowing the hotlines and location of assistance hubs and police stations where they could immediately seek assistance in case of emergency.