NCRPO inspects QC bus terminals ahead of Holy Week exodus

FILE: DLTBCo. buses at the Legazpi Grand Central Terminal, Legaspi City. (File Photo: Josh Hernandez/Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0)

MANILA — National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Guillermo Eleazar on Friday inspected several bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City ahead of the annual exodus of travelers for the Holy Week.

During the inspection, Eleazar talked to travelers and urged them to follow safety measures provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other security personnel to ensure a smooth travel.

He also talked with the guards and security personnel of each station to remind them of the security measures for the maintenance of peace and order of the public.

Eleazar said cops will be on full alert status during the Holy Week as he ordered the five police districts in the metropolis to tighten security around airports, seaports, vital government and private installations as well as places of convergence.

The five districts covered by the NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).

Full alert means the highest level of readiness in all police offices and units in Metro Manila.

He said policemen will complement existing security measures such as checkpoints to deter criminals’ activities.

In observance of the Lenten Season and summer vacation, the NCRPO implemented the “Ligtas Sumvac 2019” and will deploy more than 11,500 police officers to secure the public including local and international tourists visiting Metro Manila.

He said particular emphasis will be placed on securing bus terminals, seaports and airports, adding that aside from the deployment of uniformed personnel and K9 units, assistance desks will also be set up in these facilities.

Eleazar also said police will secure churches which will be visited by Catholic faithful for the traditional Visita Iglesia.

Aside from the full alert status, the Metro Manila top cop, ordered all District Directors and Station Commanders to focus on the Enhanced Managing Police Operations Strategy, maximum police presence, establishment of Police Assistance Desks and Tourist Police Assistance Desks and other pre-emptive measures while the public celebrates the Lenten Season.

Eleazar said the NCRPO also coordinated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Local Government Units (LGUs), force multipliers, volunteer groups and other concerned agencies in the conduct of anti-criminality operations; target hardening measures; traffic management/direction and control other related police public safety services to ensure the safety and protection of the public and their properties.

As part of the Ligtas Sumvac 2019, the NCRPO Chief said that its Regional Community Affairs Development Division (RCADD) distributed safety tips flyers for summer vacation; strengthened public engagement and information dissemination through series of inspections at places of convergence and transport services.

The Metro Manila top cop urged the public to cooperate and support its anti-criminality endeavors for a peaceful and enjoyable summer vacation in the region.