Police brace for Lenten security

CEBU, Philippines - At least 300 personnel from different units of the Cebu Provincial Police Office will be deployed to secure bus terminals, major ports, wharfs, and jeepney terminals in Cebu province during the Holy Week.

Six personnel from the Theft and Robbery Section of the Cebu City Police Office who have the expertise in robbery and hold up incidents will also be deployed in the province.

All policemen should be in uniform and they are not allowed to file a leave because crimes are rampant during the Lenten Season, said CPPO director Patrocinio Comendador.

In the meeting of the chiefs of police of the different police stations in the entire province yesterday, one of the plans is to determine how to provide security in some of the major tourist spots in northern towns that are favorite destinations of tourists during the Holy Week.

Among the towns that need to have heightened security are Sta. Fe, San Remigio, Daanbantayan, Minglanilla and Bantayan. People flock to Minglanilla for its Sugat sa Kabanhawan and while Bantayan celebrates its fiesta every Good Friday.

Comendador said there would be route security and area security aside from area monitoring.

Insp. Jaime Tolentino, Sta. Fe police chief, said they will also tap the Barangay Peace-Keeping Action Team (BPAT) to help them in monitoring beach resorts while five tourist police will also conduct mobile patrol around the town.

Madridejos police chief Senior Insp. Jaime Santillan also warns local and foreign tourists to be extra careful with their valuables because robbers and pickpockets might take advantage of the occasion.

 Bantayan police chief Senior Insp. Florendo Fajardo told The FREEMAN their full operation will focus on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, before and during the town’s fiesta celebration.

Fajardo said they will monitor procession routes like the barangays of Suba, Binabao, and Ticad while two public assistance centers manned by personnel from the Municipal Health Unit will be provided.

Comendador said the preparation phase starts April 15 and his personnel will be deployed starting April 18 while the full-blast operation will start on April 20.

“On Wednesday we will declare our alert level,” he said, adding that nobody is allowed to take a leave during occasions that need heightened security and crime prevention. — (FREEMAN)