Holy Week security plan in place

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police will implement “Oplan (Operational Plan) Bantay Lakbay 2010” to guarantee that motorists and vacationers will be safe as they trek to the various provinces during the observance of Holy Week.

According to PNP chief, Director General Jesus Verzosa, the nationwide security plan aims to ensure the safe and secure travel of motorists and commuters in air, sea, and land transportation.

“Oplan Bantay-Lakbay” will also involve the conduct of mandatory security checks at airports, seaports, and bus terminals.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said that as part of the security plan, police assistance centers in strategic locations along the national highways, particularly along the entire stretch of the Maharlika, the Manila South Road from Manila to Bicol, the Manila East Road from Eastern Metro Manila to Northern Quezon, and the Strong Republic Nautical Highway that passes through island provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, and other major thoroughfares. 

Espina said road safety operations in these areas will be the responsibility of the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and the various regional police offices.

According to Espina, the PACs will serve as quick reaction points for police emergency and medical response, and will also serve as advance command post for traffic management and road security operations. All PACs are linked with Patrol 117 nationwide emergency telephone hotline, to the TXT PNP 2920 SMS hotline and to the PNP Operations Center in Camp Crame.

In coastal resort areas, the Maritime Group and local PNP units are tasked to conduct seaborne patrols and other police security functions.

Moreover, in Metro Manila, “Oplan Bantay-Lakbay” will be spearheaded by the National Capital Region Police Office in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority and the various local government units.

“Oplan Bantay-Lakbay operations in Metro Manila will involve police assistance in overland bus terminals, seaports and domestic air terminals where outbound passengers are expected to converge for the traditional Holy Week exodus to the provinces,” Espina said.

Espina said that police stations in Metro Manila and the other urban centers are tasked to conduct preventive patrols and neighborhood watch to guard against criminal elements that may take advantage of unattended residences.

“Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will be in effect during the Holy Week and will extend until the opening of classes on the first week of June. The summer security plan will also complement existing election security operations for the May 10 national elections,” Espina said.

Additionally, beginning next week, the Philippine Coast Guard will start conducting its Holy Week inspections of vessels and at ports considering an upsurge in the volume of sea passengers.

PCG spokesman Lieutenant Commander Arman Balilo said that “starting next week our district commanders and station chiefs would be visiting the ports to ensure that everything is in order in time for the Holy Week where there is an expected influx of passengers.”