PNP deploys bike-riding cops to secure Holy Week activities
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed bicycle-riding policemen across the country as part of the police visibility program in securing the religious activity for the Holy Week.
Dubbed as Bisikleta Iglesia 2023, PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia said it is aimed at enhancing police presence and a way of promoting physical fitness and environmental awareness through the use of bicycles as an alternative mode of transportation.
“We are continuously implementing different approaches and methods in order to maintain peace and order within our community, and this activity is just one of our efforts in ensuring the safety of our fellow Filipinos during the Lenten season,” said Sermonia.
“We are reminded of the importance of faith and the sacrifices that our forefathers made to uphold it. Let us continue to deepen our spiritual connections as a community and work towards a more peaceful and just society,” he added.
As a modified "Visita Iglesia," "Bisikleta Iglesia" allowed police officers to conduct focused patrolling and reach areas where it would otherwise be difficult to use patrol cars, but still ensure a faster response than patrolling on foot.
In Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo said their bicycle-riding police personnel were tasked to secure well-known places of worship and like the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the Manila Cathedral, the Malate Catholic Church, and the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help.
"Our citizens can rely on police officers whether on bicycle, on foot, or on mobile patrol cars,” said Okubo.
He added that PNP personnel manning Police Assistance Desks will also be put in conspicuous places and remain alert and ready to help the community and respond to any eventuality that may arise.
In Mimaropa, Police Regional Office 4B Brig. Gen. Joel Doria led the kick-off ceremony at the Calapan City Police Station.
He said the initiative was adopted from Marinduque Police Provincial Office's proactive policing strategy wherein PNP personnel conduct bicycle patrolling at different churches and areas of convergence during Holy Week Celebration.
Part of the activities, according to Doria, consist of intensified police visibility at all churches and places of convergence through bicycle patrolling to secure the public and pre-empt crime perpetrators during Holy Week celebration.