Monday, December 24, 2007 For Christmas, PNP asks: Oh, behave!
AS the public wraps up last-minute preparations for the Christmas festivities, top police officials only have one request: Behave.
The Philippine National Police also observed a heightened alert beginning 6 a.m. Saturday and ordered all units to conduct “yuletide patrols” in crowded areas.
Cebu City Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador asked the public to enjoy Christmas within the bounds of the law.
“May this Christmas season bring joy and happiness to all the people, especially in the city of Cebu. And I hope that they will enjoy happiness while also considering the other people’s right to be happy under the law, under the rule of law, justice and equity,” Comendador said.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos and Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Carmelo Valmoria hope that members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army will give up their struggle and return to the government.
“I hope that our misguided brothers, who are still Filipinos, will return to the folds of the law,” Roderos said.
With the Central Visayas as the country’s tourism capital, the primary concern of tourists is peace and order, he added.
Valmoria, for his part, hopes the members of the CPP-NPA will think hard about their leanings, as they celebrate their 39th anniversary a day after Christmas.
“They have no future in the organization and their actions only cause negative effects on the economy,” Valmoria said.
He also had a message to those involved in crimes.
“Pagbag-o na mo (It’s time to change),” he said.
Valmoria also thanked those who have supported the CPPO and assured that they will “continue to ensure that you are safe and sound 24 hours a day.”
PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. instructed the Directorate for Operations to upgrade the alert status during the holidays.
All units were directed to tighten security in all “vital installations, critical infrastructure, economic key points and places of convergence.”
They were also told to continue information and intelligence gathering.
The CPPO instructed its police stations to coordinate with hospitals and clinics where victims of firecrackers and stray bullets are brought on the eve of Christmas and New Year. (MEA)
