By Mary Judaline Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY – On Thursday, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) announced that 80 percent of its personnel have been deployed in preparation for the Holy Week.
Lt. Stephen Polinar, the spokesperson for NOPPO, stated that the provincial police have intensified security measures in anticipation of the large gatherings expected during the Holy Week observance. Additionally, heightened security measures are in place due to the upcoming 55th founding anniversary of the New People’s Army on Good Friday, March 29.
“Out of approximately 1,500 police personnel in the province, 80 percent have been assigned to duty during these days, with no leave allowed,” Polinar confirmed.
On top of the different police stations’ manpower being utilized to the maximum, NOPPO also has on standby quick reaction units, such as the Provincial Mobile Force Companies, for immediate deployment when necessary.
Polinar said foot and mobile patrols are deployed to places of convergence such as churches, the airport, sea ports, and bus terminals with police assistance desks also established in these areas.
Checkpoints are also set up in cooperation with the Highway Patrol Group, the Land Transportation Office, the Philippine Army, and other security forces to ensure public safety, he added.
Lt. Col. Evelio Ilanga, commanding officer of the Philippine Army’s 62nd Infantry Battalion, said that while the PNP takes the lead in law enforcement, the Philippine Army is on standby to provide support anytime to secure the communities, especially since the NPA will be marking its anniversary on Friday.
Ilanga said military operations continue, such as intelligence gathering and combat operations even during Holy Week, especially since the group will be celebrating its founding anniversary.
He added the military would not let their guard down as remnants of the weakened NPA’s Central Negros 1 guerilla front could still engage in violent activities to project presence. (PNA)
