PNP placed on heightened alert during holiday rush

MANILA, Philippines - All personnel and units of the Philippine National Police nationwide have been placed at heightened alert, beginning Thursday in anticipation of the rise of crimes during the holiday rush.

PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima, however, said that any police regional director could still raise the status to full alert if the need arises.

Aside from putting the PNP on heightened alert status, different police districts have  started on Thursday wrapping with masking tapes the muzzles of policemen's firearms to prevent them from being used except for crime prevention.

After the masking tapes are wrapped around the tip of the muzzle of the service firearms, the respective police officials will then sign them to ensure that the tapes will not be tampered with.  

In previous holiday celebrations, policemen  have been accused of indiscriminately firing their weapons during the revelries.