By Junex Doronio
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy some 34,000 police officers in crowded locations to ensure public safety during the observance of Holy Week and summer vacation.
On Sunday (17 March 2024), PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said in her interview on Super Radyo dzBB that the national police will maintain a presence at places of worship, tourist destinations, and major thoroughfares, including bus terminals, airports, and seaports.
She underscored that police assistance desks will also be placed in these areas.
“Ang ating Oplan SUMVAC (summer vacation), traditionally nagsa-start ng April 1 hanggang May 31, but since ang ating Semana Santa ay outside of the summer vacation ay nag-advance deployment tayo. Ito pa lamang Palm Sunday ay magde-deploy na tayo ng ating mga kapulisan diyan sa ating mga simbahan,” Fajardo quipped.
She also said the PNP is already on heightened alert a week before the Holy Week.
“As a matter of practice, kapag ganitong mga Holy Week observance ay naka-heightened alert na tayo pero ang mga regional director are given the discretion kung sa mga area nila ay kailangan pang itaas ang full alert level. They have the authority and discretion to do so,” Fajardo explained.
It was gathered that the Holy Week this year will begin on March 24, on Palm Sunday, and will last until March 30, revered as Black Saturday.
This will be succeeded by Easter Sunday when the Catholic faithful celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.
(el Amigo/MNM)
