THE Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) is asking the police regional office for augmentation for the holiday breaks, even as the full alert status is still raised.
Cocpo spokesperson Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II said they were asking Camp Alagar for 250 policemen from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion to augment police presence and visibility in the streets and areas of convergence including security checkpoints.
"Nag-request ta ug augmentation pero depende pa kung i-approve kay nisiaw napud baya ang insurgency sa laing bahin sa region," Hortillosa said.
Hortillosa said the full alert status is still up and the city police is not letting its guard down to thwart possible terror attacks and other criminal activities perpetrated by lawless elements.
"Mas gihugtan nato ang full alert status wala nay kausaban since naa man ta sa Martial Law," he added.
The Cocpo spokesman has reiterated that everyone should implement personal security measures to avoid being victimized by criminals.
He said families should ensure their houses are secured and locked before leaving for church, shopping malls or elsewhere.
"Kung manglakaw ta dili lang ta magdala og dako nga cash, alahas ug dili pud ta mag-text2 ug magbantay kita sa palibot nga dili kita mabiktima sa mga pickpockets, snatchers, tulisan ug ubang daotang elemento," Hortillosa said.
He also urged the public to use other method of celebrating and greeting Christmas and New Year apart from using firecrackers.
But, he said those who will use firecrackers should have it done in designated areas allowed by the village officials.
He also discouraged the use of prohibited firecrackers that will pose danger such as fire, among others.
"Daghan pamaagi sa pagsugat sa pasko ug bag-ong tuig gawas sa pagpabuto. Pero kung magpabuto kato lang gyud gitugot ug didto lang sa designated areas," Hortillosa said.
"Ang nakanindot sad karon kay wala tay namonitor nga namaligya og illegal nga pabuto kay ang instruction sa atong city director dakpon gyud ni sila kay they will face 1 year imprisonment ug fines," he added.