PNP to remain under full alert status until Jan. 6

Police forces across the country will remain under the highest security alert status until Jan. 6 when the situation is expected to fully normalize after the long Holiday break.

Col. Redrico Maranan, chief information officer of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the full alert status is part of the security plan for the Christmas and New Year season wherein all uniformed personnel are discouraged to go on leave to maximize the implementation of peace and order measures across the country.

He said police presence is still needed especially starting Sunday, Jan. 1, when millions of people are expected to troop back to their schools and work places.

Last month, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. ordered his men to beef up the security measures and police presence in places of convergence that include transportation hubs, highways and roads, especially leading to and from Metro Manila and other urban areas.

The PNP attributed the reduction of crime volume for the month of December to maximized police presence and strategic deployments.

It said it also contributed in reducing the number of firecracker-related injuries and cases of indiscriminate firing.

In Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro for instance, Maranan said the quick police action on the complaint of local residents led to the arrest of a civilian who fired his gun to welcome the New Year.