ABOUT 7,000 police from Police Regional Office (PRO)–Western Visayas based in Iloilo City will be deployed in the region to secure the holiday season starting this week.

Superintendent Joem Malong, public information officer of PRO-6, in a media interview, said the regional office already approved the “Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan,” which is part of the security preparations for Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Malong said police will be deployed in different areas of convergence, starting at the beginning of the dawn masses of “Simbang Gabi,” on December 16.

The police deployment in shopping malls, churches, transport terminals, and seaports, among others will be until January 8, 2019, she added.

Malong also said they will establish police assistance desks in areas or venues, where there is an influx of people during the yuletide season.

Part of the security measures is to conduct simulation exercises if deemed necessary, she said.

Meanwhile, Malong said vacation leave for the police during the holiday is on a case to case basis, but in general, they are not allowed to take a leave or vacation within the said period.

As this developed, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO)will also have a strategic deployment of road safety marshals in major thoroughfares and public safety forces in control points in the city.

They will also continue to implement a curfew for minors, and other police intervention, and operations, as part of their crime prevention measures.

Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, acting BCPO director, said there will also be an establishment of assistance hubs along major highways, seaports, bus, shopping malls, resorts, and other places of convergence, in coordination with other concerned law enforcement agencies, local government units, and groups.

Ebreo said the BCPO has enough personnel to maintain peace and order in the city during the holiday season, but he welcomes additional forces if the regional office will provide them with more police. (GYM)