PNP: 115,000 cops to be deployed nationwide for Christmas season

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it will be deploying around 115,000 of its personnel to ensure a safe celebration of the holiday season.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said regional directors were already given the discretion to make the necessary adjustments in deploying policemen, especially when the volume of people increases in a certain area of convergence.

“Sa kabuuan po ay magde-deploy tayo ng mahigit 115,000 na PNP personnel nationwide to make sure na magkakaon tayo ng ligtas na Pasko nitong taon na ito lalung-lalo na at inaasahan natin ‘yung dagsa ng tao ngayong taon na ‘to,” she said on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(In total, we will deploy more than 115,000 PNP personnel nationwide to make sure that we will have a safe Christmas this year, especially that we expect the influx of people.)

On Sunday, PNP chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said around 192,000 PNP personnel would be deployed in all places of convergence where people are expected to spend their Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Fajardo said 9,000 policemen were already stationed in major transportation hubs, including ports and airports, to help check passengers’ luggage so that no contraband would get through.

Explosive detection dogs and narcotics detection dogs were also put in position, she said.

She also said that they have not yet recorded any untoward incidents five days since the start of the traditional Simbang Gabi.

“So far, relatively peaceful naman po 'yung mga ibang areas na ating mino-monitor. Ang pinagtutuunan natin sa ngayon itong pagbabantay sa Simbang Gabi at syempre habang papalapit na ang Pasko ay dumadami din ang economic activities natin lalong-lalo na sa gabi,” Fajardo said.

(So far, the areas that we are monitoring are relatively peaceful. What we are focusing on right now is the monitoring of Simbang Gabi. As Christmas approaches, our economic activities also increase especially at night.) —KBK, GMA Integrated News