Around 1,000 policemen out of the 7,823 personnel set to be deployed by the National Capital Region Police Office for “Oplan: Ligtas Paskuhan 2018” will be fielded in about 300 churches in Metro Manila for “Simbang Gabi” starting Sunday.
NCRPO chief Director Guillermo Eleazar ordered all district directors of the Manila Police District, Quezon City Police District, Northern Police District, Eastern Police District, and Southern Police District to tighten the security in their areas of responsibility in time for the traditional nine-day dawn masses which end on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.
“In line with the Philippine National Police Ligtas Paskuhan 2018 program, team NCRPO celebrates this Christmas by intensifying police visibility to ensure there will be peace, order, safety, and joy in our midst,” Eleazar said.
Aside from the 7,823 cops, the NCRPO will be augmented by 7,955 force multipliers “to oversee the peace and order situation in our metropolis,” he added.
The combined 15,778 security force will be strategically posted in places of convergence and vital installations such as major public markets, malls, churches, airports, Light Railways Transit and Metro Rail Transit terminals, seaports, and transport terminals, Eleazar noted.
Amid the preparations, he reminded the public to remain vigilant against petty criminals such as thieves and snatchers and robbers so that they won’t fall prey to them.
Usually, Simbang Gabi starts at 4 a.m., so Eleazar said there is a possibility it would be taken advantage of by criminals.
The NCRPO chief said police assistance hubs were installed in vital areas so that the public can easily ask for police’s help if ever they need one.
Additional patrol teams wills also be deployed to keep an eye on criminal gangs that would try to create trouble.
For any untoward incidents, the NCRPO can be reached through its hotlines 0915-888-8181 and 0999-901-8181. (Martin A. Sadongdong)