Police remain on high alert

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities in Central Visayas have assured they will remain on high alert during the Christmas season even with half of their force granted strategic breaks for the holidays.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Police Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, spokesman of the Police Regional Office-7, said that as a matter of protocol, policemen are required to perform their duties even on break.

“A break is only a privilege that can be taken away anytime,” Tolentin said.

He added that policemen will still be on call and should remain available for any emergency situations, especially that the administration has not announced a ceasefire with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier called the CPP-NPA as a terror group, prompting its founder, Jose Maria Sison, to also declare an all-out war against the government.

PRO-7 Director Jose Mario Espino previously said the CPP-NPA is “still very much a threat to security and safety” in the light of the recent attacks in Misamis Oriental and Camarines Norte.

“Ang mensahe lang po natin is let us enjoy yung holidays. Ang kapulisan, even though naka-break ang kalahati, we will make sure that your holidays will be peaceful at walang untoward incident na mangyayari,” Espino said.

Espino, meanwhile, reported yesterday that no security-related incidents have occurred during the first three days of the dawn Masses or the Misa de Gallo.

He lauded the men in uniform for being on the lookout for possible security concerns and praised devotees who trooped to several churches and braved the occasional drizzles and sleepiness.

“We have not experienced any untoward incidents sa simbang gabi. Peaceful naman,” Espino said, as he urged lawless elements never to take advantage of the occasion.

He said additional personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) have also been augmented to ensure police visibility during the wee hours of the day.

Nevertheless, Espino reiterated his call for the public to exercise vigilance, especially at churches in Cebu City where a huge influx of people go for the Misa de Gallo. (FREEMAN)