No threats, but PNP on alert

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) maintains its full alert status despite the absence of any specific threat during the Holy Week, a national police official said yesterday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said the highest full alert status was implemented as early as March 28 to allow the police force to ensure the safety of the public during the Lenten season.

“The full alert status will be observed starting March 28 until April 10 to maximize the deployment of police officers to places of convergence of people and to assist vacationers who will travel to their respective provinces,” Cruz added.

Cruz said 5,000 policemen, whose vacation leaves would be canceled, will be deployed around Metro Manila to secure bus stations, airports, sea ports, malls, and churches, among other vital installations.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo placed the PNP, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on full alert during the Holy Week.

Robredo said the concerned agencies were ordered to increase their level of alertness during the Lenten season to maintain peace and order and ensure the safety of commuters and the general public.

Cruz said PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome has instructed all police unit commanders to put up police assistance centers (PAC) in strategic locations along national highways, primarily along the entire stretch of the Maharlika Highway from North to South Luzon, the Manila South Road from Manila to Bicol, the Manila East Road from Eastern Metro Manila to Northern Quezon, the Strong Republic Nautical Highway that passes through island provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, and other major thoroughfares.

Cruz noted the police Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and regional police offices would spearhead road safety operations in these areas.

The 17,000 policemen of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) were placed on full alert yesterday as security preparations for the Holy Week went into full swing.

“There will be no rest for us. We will be in every nook and corner of Metro Manila this coming Holy Week,” NCRPO chief Director Alan Purisima said.

He said at least 5,500 policemen would be deployed in the metropolis during Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Black Saturday and Easter Sunday.

During the full alert status, all leaves, furloughs and rest and recreation applications are cancelled as policemen are directed to report to their respective units and stations.

Purisima declared all systems go for the NCRPO’s security operation in Metro Manila as he accompanied President Aquino on his inspections of airports, seaports and bus terminals in the metropolis Monday.

“The President was happy with what he saw on his inspections. He’s confident that we can handle any threat during the Holy Week,” he said.

Purisima stressed the intelligence community has not monitored any terrorist threat.

The NCRPO had started deploying policemen in airports, seaports and bus terminals since Friday night when people began travel to the provinces.

Purisima said policemen would also conduct police visibility operations in areas where people converge, while additional mobile and foot patrol would be undertaken in posh subdivisions and commercial centers to prevent criminals from striking.

“We will secure those who would conduct their traditional Visita Iglesia in churches in Metro Manila and also commuters going home to the provinces for the long holidays,” Purisima said.

Immigration officials, on the other hand, were ordered to report to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals to supervise the processing of arriving and departing international passengers during the Holy Week.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. said some 44 immigration officials were directed to report for work during the holidays.

Among them are BI Associate Commissioner Abdullah Mangotara and executive director Eric Dimaculangan, who will be on duty on Holy Wednesday and Black Saturday, respectively.

BI Associate Commissioner Siegfred Mison, on the other hand, was assigned to oversee the bureau’s operations at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Field, Pampanga. – Non Alquitran, Rudy Santos