IN PREPARATION for the Holy Week and summer break, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to launch its security plan dubbed as “Ligtas SUMVAC 2018” on Friday, March 23.
PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa said the 90-day security plan will cover the last week of March until the second week of June.
He said part of the operation plan is for the police personnel to conduct mandatory security checks at airports, seaports, and bus terminals to ensure the safety and security of the public during this peak travel season.
Dela Rosa said the PNP Highway Patrol Group will also establish Oplan Bantay-Lakbay Police Assistance Centers along national highways and other major thoroughfares to assure motorists of road safety.
Dela Rosa said police have been alerted over possible criminal and terrorist elements who may take advantage of the summer holiday rush.
In Metro Manila, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will spearhead the Oplan Bantay-Lakbay in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other concerned government agencies.
Earlier, NCRPO director Oscar Albayalde said the PNP will remain on full alert which means that all police personnel are expected to be on duty aside from medical related leaves.
He said they will be fielding over 5,000 police officers in the Metro for the maintenance of peace and order during the summer break.
Aside from the common places of convergence which are in the lookout during such occasions Albayalde said they are also monitoring the 70 Muslim enclaves in the Metro where terrorists particularly those who slipped from the Mindanao region following the Marawi seige may seek refuge.
However, Dela Rosa and Albayalde both maintained that there have been no validated reports of terrorist threats in Metro Manila while security forces and the intelligence network are continuously monitoring and doing their jobs.
The PNP has urged the public to stay vigilant of what is going on around them and to immediately report to the police any suspicious persons or activities in their area.
They also assure that sufficient units are on standby, ready to respond to any situation and act on contingencies. (SunStar Philippines)