POLICE Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. has ordered the deployment of over 1,000 policemen from the different police units in the region to ensure the safety of the public during observance of the Holy Week.
“We are expecting influx of passengers in bus terminals and at the same time pilgrims and devotees to local churches and pilgrimage sites are expected to flock, especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, this is why I have ordered the maximum deployment of our personnel, as well as I have tapped the support of other police units within the region. We have also solicited the support of our force multipliers and auxiliary forces to include our BPATs (Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams) and Radio net groups to help us ensure public safety,” Hidalgo said.
He added that police visibility is being intensified through increased foot/mobile patrols and established Police Assistance Desks/Centers (PADs/Cs). Also, road safety marshals are already deployed in convergence points, particularly in bus terminals, airport, seaports and recreational areas, including highways, main thoroughfares and crime prone areas to ensure maximum police presence.
Earlier, PNP personnel across the region have provided area security in churches and chapels as the Holy Week officially starts on Palm Sunday.
“Semana Santa is a time for spiritual reflection for our Catholic devotees and we want them to hold their devout activities without worries. We are committed to ensure their safety and maintain peace and order in the week-long observance of Holy Week,” the Central Luzon top cop added.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Officer 4A (Calabarzon) Regional Director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. placed the police in Cavite Laguna Batangas Rizal and Quezon on full alert.
According to Nartatez, more than 13,000 police personnel will deployed in the region for the security of vacationers who will be returning home in different areas of the region for the Semana Santa.
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