TACLOBAN CITY, (PNA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office has alerted all stations in Eastern Visayas to step up security measures this Holy Week.
PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Asher Dolina has directed all city and town police offices to set up desks along major roads to be manned by at least two policemen.
“The purpose of desks is to provide the public an access to police security services even in areas far from police stations,” said Sr. Insp. Mark N. Nalda, deputy chief of the regional PNP community relations division.
Desks in highways will be activated until the end of vacation, but its operation is heightened this Holy Week.
Likewise, police stations are expected to set up more checkpoints and deploy more policemen in the so-called “convergence areas” such as Roman Catholic churches, pilgrimage sites, beaches, bus terminals, and seaports
“Chiefs of police were asked to deploy more policemen in other areas where crime incidence is prevalent during Holy Week to deter criminal activities and thwart any hostile actions that may be launched by threat groups,” Nalda said.
Police stations in Eastern Visayas have been on heightened alert status since Palm Sunday in connection with the 46th founding anniversary of the communist New People’s Army. Several areas in the region have been tagged as rebel-infested.
The PNP has placed all police units under heightened to ensure maximum availability of personnel and resources for law enforcement and public safety operations for the traditional Holy Week holiday. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO
