ILOILO City – Christmas is around the corner, and so are pickpockets, snatchers and robbers.
Anticipating a rise in snatching and robbery cases this Yuletide season, police forces in Western Visayas
are on full alert.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 spokesperson Colonel Joem Malong said all cops in the region will remain visible on Christmas and New Year.
“Policemen in all areas in Western Visayas will render duties as if it is an ordinary working day of law enforcement,” Malong added.
According to Malong, PRO-6 cannot afford
to decrease the number of deployed personnel as the Yuletide season is when most
of the people spend their awaited vacation.
“No leave is allowed this Christmas season except if the policeman is sick and
needs medical attention of a doctor. We are directed to report to our office to
maintain peace and order. We have to spend our Noche Buena while on duty,” Malong said.
She added that police officers will be
deployed in crowded places like churches, bus terminals, shopping malls and
other commercial establishments.
On the other hand, Iloilo Police Provincial Director, Colonel Roland Vilela ordered
all police chiefs to be in their station and ready all the time especially
during night time of possible attack of the New People’s Army (NPA).
“I always remind my men to be ready, aware and cautious because we know that criminals are just around the corner, ready to take advantage of the situation,” said Vilela.
The Communist Part of The Philippines and its armed wing NPA will be celebrating their 51st founding anniversary on Dec. 26. Authorities are not inclined to recommend any Christmas truce with the communist rebels, citing that these insurgents will use the season as an opportunity to regroup their forces./PN
