4K cops to be deployed for Holy Week in Reg. 7

CEBU, Philippines — The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 will deploy about 4,000 personnel throughout Central Visayas during the observance of the Holy Week starting this Sunday.

PRO-7 Spokesperson, Police Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, said that PRO-7 Chief, Brigadier General Aberin, has ordered to check what problems were encountered during the past Holy Week to guide their security preparations this year.

Pelare said that they have identified the challenges they encountered last year while revealing that they already started their planning and analysis.

Since this is an annual activity, they have information on what to focus on, he said.

The deployment of police personnel would be heavily concentrated in churches, tourist destinations and other places where there are many people.

"We will make sure that we will flood these areas with police officers, our counterparts from the military and of course force multipliers, ato nani silang gibahin-bahin," said Pelare.

The police will also ensure that going to the terminals goes smoothly as well as their trip to their respective destinations.

"Usa sa focus gyud sa police is anti-criminality. Of course, orderliness kanang sa traffic nato. Of course, that is one of the areas that we're going to look at and as we have received specific instruction from our regional director.  Also kining atong other areas of concern such as insurgency and terrorism we will make sure that we will have sufficient number of personnel also para ma-check ni sila kay usually man gud kay kung ma-busy ang police to a certain occasion, naay mo-take advantage. So, this time we will be very comprehensive in our security preparations," said Pelare.

He added the number of police officers that will be deployed in various places in Region 7 may still be increased, since there are still adjustments as well as meetings to be held.

"Sa pagkakaron, wala pa gi-lift ang alert status but we will see these coming days we will check of course from the national headquarters when is the right time to declare a heightened alert status," said Pelare.

Meanwhile, before returning to Manila for another important meeting with the League of Cities of the Philippines today, Cebu City Mayor Rama called for a convergence meeting to ensure that all bases are covered for security and safety in line with the upcoming Holy Week.

One of Rama’s special assistants, Ramil Ayuman, said the meeting was attended by representatives from the Cebu City Police Office, NBI, BFP, Archdiocese of Cebu, and some concerned departments under the Cebu City government in preparation for the upcoming Holy Week.

The CCPO is expected to submit its detailed security plan soon.

Rama pointed out that churches should be a focus, because many go to different churches here during the Holy Week.

Aside from that, terminals and ports should also be given special attention, as many workers and students here are expected to go home to their respective provinces as well as other areas to take a much-needed rest and reflection.

The mayor also told the CCPO officers to also monitor boarding houses and banks as some might take advantage of the situation.

CCPO Chief, Police Col. Ireneo Dalugdog, for his part, is expected to visit the barangays today as part of its information and education dissemination to ensure the safety and security of all households during the Holy Week. —/GAN (FREEMAN)