PNP to deploy 4,000 policemen in Central Visayas to ensure safe Holy Week observance
CEBU CITY -- The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) will be deploying more than 4,000 policemen to ensure a peaceful observance of Holy Week.
Aside from policemen, military personnel and anti-crime volunteers will also be deployed in areas where religious activities will be held, said Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, spokesperson of Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of PRO-7.
Pelare said the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard and other law enforcement agencies will also be involved in securing the Holy Week.
Pelare said they are expecting that passengers will start to swell in bus terminals, seaports and airports in the coming days.
Pelare said policemen will be deployed in terminals and ports to help maintain order.
Just like in previous years, the police will focus on anti-criminality measures as criminals may take advantage of the influx of passengers, said Pelare.
Pelare added that one of the orders of Aberin is to avert any attacks that communist terrorist groups may launch during the Holy Week.
Setting up random checkpoints is one of the measures that the police will take to prevent criminals from causing troubles, said Pelare.
“Starting April 1, skeletal deployment will start in the whole Central Visayas while we transition from normal to heightened alert,” said Pelare.
(Calvin D. Cordova)