PNP to exhaust all measures for safe Christmas, New Year celebrations, Nartatez assures PBBM
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police commanders to exert more efforts to ensure safe and peaceful celebrations of Christmas and New Year.
Nartatez issued the order in response to the directive of President Marcos to maintain a visible and reassuring presence during the Holiday season as more people are out in public during the oath-taking of ranking police officials in Malacañang.
He, however, said that security has been particularly strengthened in Metro Manila, major tourist destinations, and provinces expecting large public gatherings including Simbang Gabi venues, shopping malls, and public transport hubs.
“We are regularly conducting monitoring and real-time adjustments in our security measures especially in churches and other usual places of convergence in this time of the year,” said Nartatez.
“We assure all our kababayan that your PNP will be on the ground to protect you and to respond to all of our concerns in the soonest possible time. We have long prepared for this and in the past days, we have been reaping the fruits of our labor,” he added.
During the oath-taking of star-ranked PNP officers, Marcos also reminded officers that public service continues even during celebrations and urged them to serve with honor and act in the best interest of the nation.
Nartatez also assured that they will not lower their guard for any eventuality, as he emphasized that worst-case scenarios have been part of their security preparations especially in urban areas.
He said checkpoints have been set up at strategic locations while potential hotspots are under active monitoring to prevent theft, robbery, and other crimes while coordination with local government units and barangay officials ensures a prompt and seamless response when needed.
Nartatez stressed that the initiative reinforces both preventive policing and community engagement.
He said they are prioritizing preventive measures and encourages the public to remain vigilant. Officers have been briefed on spotting suspicious activities, and citizens are urged to report anything unusual immediately.
“We want every Filipino to celebrate Christmas with joy and peace of mind, knowing that the PNP is always ready to protect and serve our communities,” Nartatez said.