The Philippine National Police on Sunday said it will deploy 34,000 police officers nationwide to secure safety and order during the Lenten and summer breaks.
In an interview with DZBB, PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said cops will be stationed in various tourist spots, churches, and major transport hubs in the country.
“Our Oplan SUMVAC (summer vacation) traditionally starts from April 1 to May 31. But since our Holy Week falls outside of the summer vacation, we are making an advance deployment. Beginning Palm Sunday, we will deploy our police officers to churches,” Fajardo said mostly in Filipino.
Fajardo added PNP will place assistance desks in the said places to aid travelers. Law enforcement authorities will also be on heightened alert during the Holy Week, which is scheduled from March 24 (Palm Sunday) to March 30 (Black Saturday) this year.
“As a matter of practice, during Holy Week observance, we are already on heightened alert. But regional directors are given the discretion to decide in their respective areas if there’s a need to raise it to full alert level. They have the authority and discretion to do so,” she explained.
Holy Week in the Philippines is a significant period for Catholics. It starts on Palm Sunday, marking Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, and ends on Easter Sunday, celebrating Jesus’ resurrection.
Filipinos engage in religious practices and traditions, reflecting on Jesus’ sacrifice. Many seek spiritual renewal through prayer and contemplation.
Earlier this week, the Department of Transportation-Special Action and Intelligence Committee for Transportation (DOTr-SAICT) announced its planned initiatives in anticipation of the forthcoming Holy Week.
Collaborating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology-Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (DICT-CICC) and Scam Watch Pilipinas, DOTr_SAICT is gearing up for the anticipated surge in travelers.
According to their official statement, the joint effort seeks to cater to the public’s requirements at terminals, ports, and airports.
Their primary objectives include facilitating seamless traffic management and ensuring the safety of passengers throughout their journey.