TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO)-8 is deploying 4,229 police officers to secure the Holy Week and “summer” vacation under “Ligtas Sumvac 2023” in Eastern Visayas. PRO-8 chief Brig. Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil reminded the public to be vigilant for possible attacks from lawless elements who may take advantage of the season. "We are doing our best efforts to ensure the safety and security of the public, of course with your sound cooperation," Marbil said. He said that police units and stations have been alerted and directed to coordinate with concerned agencies to help disseminate safety tips as a guide to all arriving tourists. Police visibility and police assistance desks and hubs have been established, with the help of force multipliers, volunteer groups, other government agencies, and local government units, in strategic locations. Marbil said 3,638 are joined by 1,674 force multipliers from the Bureau of Fire Protection, the Philippine Army,  Philippine Coast Guard, and civilian volunteers from various advocacy groups. Personnel have been deployed on major thoroughfares, national highways, commercial areas, areas of convergence, places of worship, and vital installations. Marbil said 591 policemen were deployed for the implementation of “Oplan: Maharlika” to secure the highway from Allen, Northern Samar to San Ricardo, Southern Leyte. Mobile patrolling and regular inspection of tourist sites will be conducted apart from activating the tourist police at every police station. Ligtas SUMVAC runs from April 1 to May 31 when various occasions are being observed such as the Holy Week, Philippine Veterans Week, Araw ng Kagitingan (Day of Valor), Labor Day, Flores de Mayo, family gatherings, and town fiestas.