Philippine National Police: Holy Week generally peaceful

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday that the overall situation during the Holy Week was generally peaceful except for some road accidents in Luzon and Mindanao.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered all police regional offices to maintain vigilance and readiness to extend police assistance to travelers and tourists for the rest of the summer holidays.

Verzosa issued the order as he congratulated all PNP units for the successful public safety and security operations during the traditional Holy Week holiday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Nicanor Bartolome said the PNP is implementing a summer holiday security and public safety operation dubbed Oplan Bantay-Lakbay that started before the Holy Week.

“Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will remain in effect for the fiesta and Flores de Mayo season in May, and will extend until the opening of classes on the first week of June,” Bartolome said.

Traffic has started to build up yesterday afternoon until this morning when travelers return to Metro Manila from the provinces, Bartolome said.

“PNP personnel manning the Police Assistance Centers (PACs) were visible and ready to ensure peace and order, and public safety for the holiday travelers and tourists. And this made the Holy Week more meaningful,” Verzosa said.

The PACs will remain in their posts to assists motorists and travelers returning to the cities from the provinces.