NCRPO on alert for Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be on full alert status to secure travelers during the Holy Week, an official said yesterday.

“All leaves of police personnel are canceled to ensure that they are posted in their respective assignments,” NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said.

Earlier, the NCRPO said a total of 11,600 police officers will be deployed to secure bus and jeepney terminals, airports, seaports, vital installations, churches and other pilgrimage sites as well as residential areas during the Holy Week.

Aside from the deployment of uniformed personnel and K9 units, Eleazar said police assistance desks would be set up in these facilities.

Holy Week starts on April 14 (Palm Sunday) and ends on April 21 (Easter Sunday).

Malacañang has declared April 18 (Maundy Thursday) and April 19 (Good Friday) as regular holidays. April 20 (Black Saturday) is a special non-working day.

The NCRPO has been placed on heightened alert for the coming midterm elections.

According to Eleazar, policemen would complement existing security measures such as checkpoints to deter criminals and prevent possible terror threats in Metro Manila.

Eleazar said police would secure churches for the traditional Visita Iglesia.

The intelligence units of the NCRPO and the military have not received security threats in Metro Manila.

“So far, we have not received any threats to disrupt the Holy Week observance, but we will remain vigilant,” Eleazar said.

He appealed to the public to report to authorities suspicious persons or incidents at the NCRPO hotline 0915-888-8181 or 0999-901-8181.