It’s a busy Christmas for PNP

Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) will have a very busy Christmas season securing citizens from the threats posed by terrorists and pickpockets alike.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil yesterday said the PNP was vigilant and visible in the streets even before the crack of dawn from the first day of the Simbang Gabi (dawn novena Mass) that presages the Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass).

Since Dec. 16, they have been on duty patrolling churches nationwide as dawn Masses are celebrated.

"We are the first men in and we are the last men out (of the churches)," Bataoil said at the Manila Hotel forum yesterday morning. "By midnight, we were already deploying foot patrols and mobile patrols and, after the Simbang Gabi, they will be deployed to crime-prone areas — so your PNP is really very, very busy."

Uniformed and plainclothes policemen have also been roving around bus terminals, seaports, airports, the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) elevated railways and shopping malls and public markets.

He said this tightened security would be sustained even after Dec. 25 despite the Christmas truce the PNP is planning to declare with communist New People’s Army (NPA) rebels.

Bataoil said that, "as far as the PNP is concerned, when we talk of law enforcement, we do not consider if there is ceasefire or if there is truce. Law enforcement is implemented 24 hours a day. If there is a violation, your PNP will act appropriately and legally."

He recalled that another significant day this month is Dec. 26, which marks the 34th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Bataoil said he learned that suspected NPA rebels allegedly attacked a Globe telecommunications cellsite in Sorsogon province.

This increased police visibility and vigilance is meant to prevent another terrorist attack similar to the Dec. 30, 2000 bombings.

Another concern Bataoil cited was the New Year’s celebration: "Our preparation of the PNP will not end during Christmas, but would even continue until after New Year."

Meanwhile, Manila Police District (MPD) head Chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong said 60 Marine personnel and an augmentation team from the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrived at Manila police headquarters on UN Avenue in Ermita Saturday.

Bulaong said the troop arrival was nothing to be alarmed about, since this is a routine deployment of additional security personnel during Christmas — particularly in the area of Malacañang Palace.