National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin said on Thursday that more than 14,000 police officers have been deployed across strategic areas to secure Metro Manila during the holiday season.
Police officers, security personnel, and local security forces such as village watchmen and public safety officers were deployed in churches, malls, public markets, major thoroughfares, and transport terminals. All police forces in Metro Manila are now on heightened alert status as part of general security measures for the season.
“We are already on heightened alert and we will be deploying our personnel in churches, transport hubs, and other areas where people usually converge during this time of the year,” Aberin said in a phone interview.
Regarding security in LRT and MRT stations, Aberin said they plan to assign at least two police officers per station to augment Philippine Coast Guard personnel.
“We will also be setting up police assistance desks in some shopping malls. As part of our commitment, we will detail police personnel in all LRT and MRT stations in Metro Manila,” he added.
Aberin said further security assessments will be conducted in the coming days to determine if there is a need to elevate the alert level.
He said deployment will increase starting December 16, the start of Simbang Gabi.
Priorities during Simbang Gabi will be churches and all roads leading to and from them, from evening until dawn.
While the NCRPO has not received any serious threats, Aberin said they will remain vigilant and continue intensifying police presence and intelligence monitoring in coordination with the military and intelligence community.
“To our countrymen going out to shop or enjoy the holidays, we remind them not to wear or bring expensive items and to stay alert and aware of their surroundings,” he said.
“We urge the public to immediately report any suspicious observations to the nearest police personnel or station so we can take immediate action.”
