CAMP FLORENDO, La Union – The Police Regional Office-1 has tapped 1,064 policemen as Regional Reactionary Standby Support Force as part of its security measures for the Lenten season.

EVANGELISTA (center). (FB)
Police Brig. Gen. Lou Evangelista, PRO-1 director, said the RRSSF from the regional headquarters is on standby and complements around 3,000 uniformed personnel who have been deployed in churches, places of convergence, and tourist spots in the Ilocos region since the “Oplan: Ligtas Sumvac (summer vacation)" security plan was activated on March 25.
This additional force is a proactive measure to ensure public safety and security, particularly in anticipation of a potential surge in tourist arrivals, said Evangelista.
“We will take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and security of the tourists and locals in the region, we do not hesitate to take action if we see or observe anomalies among the civilians and all the things around us."
"We are vigilant at all times as we maintain the peacefulness of Region 1, for the religious observance of the Lenten season,” he added.
Evangelista inspected public transportation terminals, places of convergence, and tourist spots in the Ilocos provinces on Holy Wednesday and Maundy Thursday.
On Holy Wednesday, Evangelista visited a bus terminal in front of a popular mall in Rosales, Pangasinan and afterwards proceeded to Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, where he inspected Calle Crisologo, a popular tourist spot, and another prominent bus terminal.
On Maundy Thursday, he inspected two bus terminals in Lingayen, Pangasinan and the Baywalk shoreline.
“We are conducting this series of inspections to assess the safety of motorists and transportation hubs in anticipation of the influx of travelers visiting the region.”