The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) on Thursday to make every effort to maintain peace and order during Holy Week.
Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. directed the PNP, BFP, and local governments to be on high alert as part of security preparations to ensure the safety of motorists and commuters during the Lenten season.
He has also directed the PNP to work with local officials to monitor areas deemed political "hot spots."
According to PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., nearly 78,000 police officers have been deployed across the country to ensure safe travel during the Lenten season exodus and the summer months.
Azurin has issued operational guidelines for regional and provincial police departments to follow in order to carry out their respective law enforcement and public safety plans for the summer holiday season, which lasts 60 days.
He directed police units to establish assistance hubs and police assistance desks to assist the public and respond to specific complaints as soon as possible.
An additional 39,504 officers will be deployed to specific areas of convergence, such as major thoroughfares, transportation hubs, terminals, commercial areas, and places of worship, for increased police presence through mobile and foot/beat patrol.
He stated that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will have the most deployments, with a total of 9,585 police officers.
Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan Okubo, director of the NCRPO, stated that police officers are ready to be deployed to the region's streets and vital installations to conduct anti-criminality operations, target hardening measures, traffic management and control, and other police public safety services.
According to Abalos, the BFP is also on the lookout for fires that may occur during Holy Week.
Meanwhile, travelers are reminded to turn off all appliances before leaving their homes.
He has also directed local governments to work with local traffic enforcers, barangay tanods, local peace and order councils, volunteers, and other force multipliers to plan and prepare for the influx of people in their areas.
