Bicol PNP beefs up security during Holy Week, summer vacations

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PNP-Bicol regional director Chief Supt. Augusto Marquez, file photo.

Security during the Holy Week feastivities and summer season is now in place, according to top Philippine National Police Bicol official on Tuesday.

Bicol regional director Police Chief Supt. Augusto M. Marquez Jr. said his directive for this purpose stands effective up to May 31.

The summer vacation and holy week security plan also covers big events including those in Albay’s Daragang Magayon Festival and Palarong Pmabansa, the national and local elections, Philippine Veterans Week, Araw ng Kagitingan, Labor Day, National Flag Day, Flores de Mayo and village feasts.

Also established were police assistance desks in populous areas like terminals, airports, seaports, markets, malls and churches as well as tourist destinations that are often visited by local and foreign tourists during vacations and Holy Week.

PNP-Bicol has also placed checkpoints in entry and exit points with intensified police patrols and visibility, especially in areas of convergence on 24/7 involving about 5,000 police personnel.

Of this number, 1,198 are assigned in prime tourist destinations in the region, 266 in transportation hubs, 2,901 for route security and 635 in vital installations.

Providing assistance are the 3,794 individuals including village volunteer security men, security guards, traffic enforcers, radio groups like the Kabalikat Civicom and barangay peacekeeping and action teams.

The PNP official said every police station in the region has a hotline through which the public can ask for help.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways Bicol office on Monday launched its “Oplan Lakbay Alalay” for the Holy Week.

The agency has 31 motorist assistance centers along the stretch of the Maharlika Highway from Tabogon in Sta. Elena of Camarines Norte to Matnog in Sorsogon. Assistance centers have also been put up in Catanduanes and Masbate.

Assistance center in place numbers 12 in Masbate, 7 in Catanduanes, 6 Camarines Sur, 3 in Albay, 2 in Sorsogon and 1 in Camarines Norte complimented with field mechanics, engineers and other personnel to assist travelers and motorists in their travel.

The centers will stay in place up to March 28, where the vacationists are expected to return to Metro Manila.

Bicol Street Journalist
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