To ensure public safety this Christmas and holiday season, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced full alert status yesterday.
PNP spokesman Brigadier General Bernard Banac said their full alert status beginning yesterday at 6 am would end on January 5 next year.
Nearly 70,000 police officers will be deployed to intensify security operations. Police visibility will be increased, especially in churches in light of the Simbang Gabi, which started today.
Read: Pope Francis leads start of Simbang Gabi 2019 in the Vatican
According to Banac, the onset of full alert status is due to the approaching holiday season until the New Year, and hence, the presence of a full police presence is required.
PNP if full alert for Philippines’ Christmas, holiday season
“We do not really anticipate major peace and order issues during the Yuletide season, but we are deploying more policemen in the field as a crime prevention measure,” Officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa said in PNP Command Memorandum Circular Paskuhan 2019.
Meanwhile, Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) general manager Jay Daniel Santiago said they are expecting a high volume of passengers during the Christmas season. Still, he assured the agency is always available to assist passengers.
“Hopefully, there is no congestion, but we are expecting a higher volume of passengers as is expected during the Christmas season yearly,” Santiago said.
Santiago also said Malasakit Help Desks in all of the port areas all over the country would be activated and on heightened alert during the holidays.
He added that a “no day off, no absent” policy would be implemented on all personnel involved in port operations.
Police authorities reminded the passengers to be vigilant and follow the security and safety measures imposed by PNP.