MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) would deploy at least 5,000 policemen to secure Metro Manila during All Saints’ Day next week, a police official said.
PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome also ordered police commanders nationwide to maximize the visibility of uniformed policemen in the respective areas of jurisdictions, especially in cemeteries.
The PNP Directorate for Operations is considering proposals to raise the full alert status starting on Thursday to give all police units nationwide to prepare for the All Saints’ Day commemoration on Nov. 1.
PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., said about 5,000 policemen from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be fielded in Metro Manila.
“The directive of the PNP chief is to ensure maximum police visibility on the streets,” said Cruz, who noted that even policemen presently assigned in the administrative work will also be deployed on the streets.
He said airports, seaports and bus terminals will be among the areas to be closely monitored by the PNP.
Cruz said elements of the Safety Battalions and the Special Weapon and Tactics (SWAT), who usually stay at the police headquarters, would also be utilized to achieve the maximum strength of police force on the streets.
“The PNP has started preparing for the holidays,” said Cruz, who called on the public to take note of the items prohibited inside the cemeteries, like bladed weapons, intoxicating liquor, playing cards, karaoke, videoke and other things that might distract peace.
Cruz also advised home-owners to check the locks of the houses to prevent criminals from taking advantage of their absence and robbed their houses of their hard-earned money and belongings.
The NCRPO directed its five police districts yesterday to submit their security plan in cemeteries for the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day not later than Thursday.
Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel, NCRPO officer-in-charge (OIC) said they would meet with the district directors on Friday to finalize their security deployment in cemeteries in Metro Manila dubbed as “Oplan Kaluluwa.”
Laurel said the NCRPO would tap force multipliers like the radio communication groups.
He said a police team, augmented by force multipliers and barangay officials would man all entry points of cemeteries to frisk all those who wish to visit their departed loved ones of the banned liquor and weaponry. – With Non Alquitran, Sandy Araneta
