Metro cops on heightened alert

The entire police force in Metro Manila was placed on heightened alert yesterday in line with the Philippine National Police (PNP) post-holiday security preparation all over the metropolis.

National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leopoldo Bataoil said starting yesterday, Metro Manila’s five police districts have specific instructions to ensure the safe return of thousands of Metro Manila residents who spent the long holiday break in the provinces.

Each police district will also be augmented by two police platoons from the NCRPO headquarters to help them with their anti-crime duties and attend to the security needs of incoming travelers. A platoon is composed of 30 men, excluding the commander and his executive officer.

“This is not only to ensure the safe return from the provinces of Metro Manila residents but also the thousands of students who will be flocking back to schools tomorrow (Monday),” Bataoil said.

Bataoil also ordered policemen to assist outgoing commuters who were stranded in Metro Manila because of the holiday rush. He said that as of yesterday, there are still many outgoing passengers who are having difficulty securing a trip to the provinces.

Around 500 soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines-National Capital Region Command will also be deployed in strategic areas of the metropolis along with their police counterparts, NCRCOM spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said.

He added these strategic areas include bus terminals in Caloocan City, Quezon City, Pasay City and Muntinlupa City.

Soldiers and police officers will also monitor Manila’s ports and Pasay’s domestic and international airports to ensure the safety of travelers.

Ferrer, meanwhile, assured that despite several pre-Christmas and pre-New Year bombings in Mindanao, Metro Manila remains relatively safe.

But just the same, he said the police and military will deploy personnel to man key entry and exit points from Metro Manila.