EASTERN Visayas observed a generally peaceful Christmas celebration as no major untoward incident was recorded in the region, a top police official said on Sunday, December 27, 2020.
Brigadier General Ronaldo De Jesus, police regional director, said the establishment of police assistance desks in all places of convergence beginning the traditional nine-day “Misa de Gallo” helped ensure peace and order during the celebration.
“The success of the Yuletide celebration is made possible through the public’s vigilance and cooperation,” De Jesus said in a statement.
“I am glad that Police Regional Office 8 was not able to monitor lawless activities which could have disrupted the observance of a peaceful and orderly Christmas,” added the police official.
De Jesus thanked the local government units, volunteers, Regional Reactionary Standby Support Force, quick response teams and other police task groups.
During the Christmas celebration, De Jesus ordered the deployment of the Medical Reserve Force and Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group “to detect the presence of contrabands while the road safety marshals were also placed in major thoroughfares to prevent traffic congestion.”
The Regional Civil Security Unit also inspected the security guards stationed in malls “to ensure their implementation of the peace and security measures.”
“All these deployments were randomly inspected by the Regional Internal Affairs 8, as directed by the Chief PNP, General Debold Sinas,” according to the police regional command in Palo, Leyte.
As of Sunday morning, Eastern Visayas has zero report on illegal possession or sale of firecrackers, stray bullet incident, illegal discharge of firearms, and fire incident and injury due to firecrackers. (SunStar Philippines)