The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be deploying around 34,000 of its personnel to secure the “summer vacation” across the country, the preparations include the security measures for the Holy Week late this month.
The security preparations is part of the “Oplan Ligtas Sumvac” 2024 and part of it, according to PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo, is for all regional directors and other local commanders to activate their respective contingency plans in coordination with local government units and other agencies.
“We are now in the final stage of our preparations for the summer. In a few days, we will craft actually our Oplan Sumvac. It’s just a matter of harmonizing,” said Fajardo.
Priority of the deployment, according to Fajardo, are the usual places of convergence like national highways and other major thoroughfares, transportation hubs, terminals, commercial areas, and places of worship.
She said this will be complemented by Police Assistance Desks and Assistance Hubs that will be manned by policemen and personnel from other government agencies.
In major tourist spots, Fajardo said around 7,000 tourist policemen will take charge of the security.
While the PNP assures all its efforts to ensure peaceful and glitch-free summer vacation, Fajardo also appealed for cooperation and vigilance on the part of the public.
For instance, she said people should refrain from inadvertently communicating with criminals by giving them the opportunity to strike through their social media posts that they would be out for vacation for a long time.
She explained that netizens should not post any pictures of their vacation as this will only give criminals more reason to drop by their home and conduct their illegal activity.
Fajardo said those planning for vacation should also be careful in dealing with online transactions, especially airline tickets and accommodations as these are also being taken advantage of by scammers.