PNP steps up visibility, patrol operations as Christmas nears

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it has increased visibility and mobile patrol operations with the expected influx of holiday shoppers.

PNP Director Ricardo Marquez, the PNP Director for Operations (DO), said police presence will be intensified through increased foot and mobile patrol operations and deployment of Route Safety Marshalls in areas and times where and when they are most needed.

Marquez said Police Assistance Hubs will also be established in places of convergence.

He said that even as preemptive security operations are underway, the PNP will continue to intensify the campaign against loose firearms, illegal discharge of firearms, and campaign against criminal gangs and personalities supported by the aggressive implementation of Oplan "Bakal" and Oplan "Sita".

The PNP will also strictly implement Republic Act 7183 or the Illegal Manufacture and Sale of Firecrackers and Pyrotechnics law.

Marquez said that guidelines and standard procedures have been disseminated to all PNP units tasked to secure the Pope during his State Visit and Apostolic Journey.

Earlier, the PNP said it will provide operational support to the Presidential Security Group and close-in security services to the Pope’s entourage.

Security coverage operations in the different venues of engagement of the Pope and public safety assistance for peace and order maintenance and police services for crowd control, vehicular/pedestrian traffic direction, route parking and venue security will also be available on the day of the event.

The PNP has also started security preparations for the upcoming Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2015 meetings in particular to the safety and security of all delegates and participants, and facilitation of uninterrupted conduct of APEC leaders meeting.