Buoyed by the success of security measures implemented during big assemblies in the past weeks, Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said they will shift their focus on ensuring peaceful and meaningful Christmas holidays for the Filipino people.
Nartatez said they expect more travel and movement of the people in the coming days due to Christmas-related promos and activities in malls and other usual places of convergence.
“Pumasok na ang buwan ng Disyembre (It is now December) and we can expect more movements of people going to and from the malls and other places of convergence. On the part of the PNP, we will make our presence more felt on the streets and in the communities for the people to truly enjoy a peaceful and safe Christmas season,” he said.
“We have this reputation of having the longest Christmas celebration kaya tuloy-tuloy na itong security measures natin hanggang first week ng (so our security measures continue until the first week of) January next year. You can always bank on the presence and active response of your PNP.”
Nartatez also said that police commanders nationwide, particularly in Metro Manila and other urban areas, were instructed to start implementing the security measures and conduct regular review for security adjustments.
The same instruction was given to police commanders in tourist spots in various parts of the country.
Nartatez said the most important part of the Christmas security is police visibility, active response and strategic operations to deny any criminal elements the opportunity to strike.
“There is a perception that crime volume goes up during December. We have to do something about it and our main task is to disprove this perception,” he said.
Aside from regular peace and order patrols, Nartatez said they will also coordinate with other government agencies to ensure the safety of commuters and road users as they expect the influx of travelers to and from Metro Manila and the provinces.
Police are working with the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for bus terminal inspections to check on road worthiness of the buses and mental and physical readiness of drivers for long travel, and the setting up of assistance desks in bus terminals and transportation hubs.
