More cops deployed during Christmas – PNP

MANILA, Philippines — With more people expected to head outdoors during the Christmas season amid the easing of quarantine restrictions, the Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday said it would double the deployment of personnel in public places to thwart criminals.

The PNP is wary of a possible spike in crimes and terrorism in Metro Manila during the holidays.

“We will deploy more police personnel. That’s automatic, but we have to rationalize the deployment of our forces. When we say this, we mean that we need to secure places where police are needed,” PNP chief Gen. Camilo Cascolan told reporters.

In the past years, robbery, snatching and other petty crimes increased during the so-called “ber” months.

Aside from peacekeeping, police are also preparing for the enforcement of health and safety protocols amid the easing of quarantine restrictions in the National Capital Region, which remains the epicenter of COVID-19. More than half of the country’s infections were recorded in NCR.

To prevent virus transmission during the Christmas season, Metro Manila mayors have decided to maintain the general community quarantine or GCQ status in the region until December.

Local chief executives also banned Christmas parties and other mass gatherings during the holidays.

Cascolan said he would prohibit Christmas parties in the PNP, especially in police units under GCQ.