Friday, March 14, 2008 Police gear up for public safety on Holy Week
THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will undertake a nationwide security and public safety plan to ensure the peaceful observance of the Holy Week and the rest of the summer vacation season.
PNP Chief Avelino Razon Jr. has activated "Oplan Bantay-Lakbay," the nationwide security plan that aims to insure the safe travel of motorists and vacationers in air, sea, and land modes of transportation.
This involves the conduct of mandatory security checks at airports, seaports, and bus terminals to guard against criminal and terrorist elements that may take advantage of the holiday rush.
According to PNP spokesman Nicanor Bartolome, "Oplan Bantay-Lakbay" involves setting-up of Police Assistance Centers (PACs) along national highways, primarily in the entire stretch of Maharlika Highway from North to South Luzon, Strong Republic Nautical Highway that passes through islands in the Visayas and Mindanao, and other major thoroughfares.
The Traffic Management Group (TMG) will spearhead road safety operations.
PACs will serve as quick-reaction points for police emergency and medical response, and advance command post for traffic management and security operations.
All PACs are linked with Patrol 117 nationwide emergency hotline, and the TXT PNP 2920 text messaging hotline.
In coastal resort areas, the Maritime Group and local PNP units are tasked to conduct seaborne patrols and other police security functions.
In Metro Manila, Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will be spearheaded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in coordination with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and local government units.
Bartolome said 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.
Police stations in Metro Manila will also conduct preventive patrols and neighborhood watch to guard against criminal elements that may take advantage of unattended residences.
At the same time, all commercial business establishments, shopping malls, places of worship, Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Land Rail Transit (LRT), and other vital installations will be placed under intensive security coverage.
According to Bartolome, Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will be in effect during the Holy Week, the fiesta and Flores de Mayo season in May, and will extend until the opening of classes on the first week of June.
All PNP regional offices and concerned national support units have been instructed to make available all resources and personnel in support of Oplan
Bantay-Lakbay.
The PNP National Operations Center in Camp Crame will continuously monitor activities in all PACs nationwide. (VR/Sunnex)
