Police say security plan for Holy Week in place

CEBU, Philippines — Aside from religious activities, the Cebu City police are also monitoring boarding houses, banks and others establishment during the Holy Week.

Police Lt. Col. Ma. Theresa Macatangay, spokesperson of the Cebu City Police Office, said that they have formulated a detailed security plan for the holy season.

Macatangay said that since workers as well as students are going homes in the provinces to observe the Holy Week, they will monitor boarding houses and banks against elements who will take advantage of the situation.

She said they have to take steps to avoid robbery incidents and other crimes.

"In anticipation sa kaning oportunista nga mo-create og crimes because mingaw ang mga lugar especially aning mga boarding houses and we have also initiated measures nga dili sad ta makaangkon og dagkong panghitabo sama sa dagko nga robbery incidents ani nga panahon, we have solicited the help of our private institutions especially the bank managers on this regard," said Macatangay.

Due to lack of police personnel, the CCPO is coordinating with barangay captains as well as bank managers to assess the areas that the police would patrol.

"Tungod kay nahimutang sila sa areas nga medyo mingaw or wala sad sila'y ingon ta daghan nga security guard nga gina-deploy so we have been considering these things why we are also greatly considering our deployment for this," said Macatangay.

Yesterday morning, a coordination meeting was held between the CCPO and the chiefs of police of 11 police stations in the city as well as special units on the deployment of police personnel and on which areas force multipliers should focus during the Holy Week.

The station commanders said they are coordinating with leaders of parishes for them to have a systematic deployment of people.

"Ang ato ra gyud tumong ug tuyo ani nga ang atoang nga visitors ani nga mga lugar mabantayan, mamenus ang hitabo sa mga krimen particularly ang theft ug robbery," said Macatangay

In the past years, fewer incidents occurred during the Holy Week due to travel restrictions. (FREEMAN)