PRO-6 keeps guards up for Holy Week activities
In anticipation of droves of commuters and churchgoers, the Police Regional Office (PRO) VI will tighten its security measures in areas frequented by the public during the Holy Week.
PNP Regional Director Chief Supt. Isagani Cuevas said that along with the Semana Santa, they expect the volume of commuters to double because of the summer vacation.
Cuevas said that the annual religious activity and end of school year usually signal the influx of more tourists, balikbayan, devotees, and students who are going home for summer vacation.
He added that the situation calls for a tighter security measures and poses a big challenge to police personnel and members of other law enforcement agencies.
“We have to enhance our campaign against criminality and intelligence gathering to pre-empt any untoward incident,” he said.
The region’s top cop added that they would be on full alert status to ensure that there will be a maximized number of personnel in strategic areas all over the region.
He added that policemen in Western Visayas were also advised to heighten their police visibility in terminals, seaports and religious shrines to provide assistance to travelers and devotees.
Cuevas said that the intensified security measures are aimed to ensure the safety of the public.
He added that they have not received any threat to security.
“We just want to be prepared and not caught off guard,” the PNP regional chief said.
Meanwhile, the PNP Highway Patrol Group will also set up public assistance centers in major highways to respond to emergencies of the commuters and motorists, alike.
In Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has instructed the city police director and all precinct commanders to maximize the presence and visibility of their police personnel and auxiliaries in observance of the Holy Week.
“I direct that police officers and auxiliaries be stationed at the various churches and places of worship by Wednesday night, March 31, 2010, until Easter Sunday, April 4, 2010,” Treñas said in his memorandum order dated March 29.
The instruction was done to ensure the safety of the general public who will be spending time in the said locations during this week.
Meanwhile, the mayor announced that work at the city hall will only be up to noontime on Wednesday.
He said it has always been a tradition to spend Holy Week with the family and so he wants the city hall personnel to better prepare for their observance of the occasion. (with a report front PIO)
