(Manila, 12th) – Philippine National Police (PNP) Acting Chief Lieutenant General Nartates has ordered police regions nationwide to review and update their security deployments for the Christmas period, to ensure social order and public safety during the festive season, in line with President Marcos Jr.'s directive to maintain peace and stability.
Nartates stressed that as crowds gather during the Christmas season, police in all areas must strengthen vigilance in public spaces such as shopping malls, parks, transit stations, and ports. He noted, “We conduct this type of security operation every year. The public can rest assured that the police have ample experience and plans in place to ensure safety and peace during the holidays.”
He also emphasized that the police aim to break the impression of “rising crime rates during Christmas and New Year,” so that the public can celebrate the world’s longest Christmas season in peace.
This deployment is also related to recent security incidents. On November 10, two suspects in a string of fast food restaurant robberies in Bulacan and Pampanga were arrested in Caloocan City; police recovered cash and firearms. On the same day, a police officer named Sato, suspected of robbing a convenience store, was killed in a shootout with police in Bulacan. Investigations show the officer turned to crime due to failed business ventures and mounting debts.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office announced that from December 16th to 18th, 16,433 police officers will be deployed to maintain order at two large-scale prayer and gathering events at Manila's Rizal Park and Quezon City’s EDSA People Power Monument, organized by the Jesuit Church and People's Initiative Alliance respectively.
NCRPO spokesperson Major Asilo stated that police have already coordinated with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to manage traffic reroutes and parking, and will continuously monitor protest hot-spots such as the US Embassy and Mendiola to prevent sudden 'lightning rallies.'
Nartates said the police respect citizens’ freedoms of religion and assembly, but the top priority is ensuring the safety and orderliness of gatherings. He stressed: “Police will focus on crowd management, traffic coordination, and public safety to ensure the events proceed peacefully and smoothly.”
The Philippine National Police also reminded the public to cooperate with police instructions, obey traffic controls, and participate in activities peacefully and lawfully.
He also emphasized that the police aim to break the impression of “rising crime rates during Christmas and New Year,” so that the public can celebrate the world’s longest Christmas season in peace.
This deployment is also related to recent security incidents. On November 10, two suspects in a string of fast food restaurant robberies in Bulacan and Pampanga were arrested in Caloocan City; police recovered cash and firearms. On the same day, a police officer named Sato, suspected of robbing a convenience store, was killed in a shootout with police in Bulacan. Investigations show the officer turned to crime due to failed business ventures and mounting debts.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office announced that from December 16th to 18th, 16,433 police officers will be deployed to maintain order at two large-scale prayer and gathering events at Manila's Rizal Park and Quezon City’s EDSA People Power Monument, organized by the Jesuit Church and People's Initiative Alliance respectively.
NCRPO spokesperson Major Asilo stated that police have already coordinated with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority to manage traffic reroutes and parking, and will continuously monitor protest hot-spots such as the US Embassy and Mendiola to prevent sudden 'lightning rallies.'
Nartates said the police respect citizens’ freedoms of religion and assembly, but the top priority is ensuring the safety and orderliness of gatherings. He stressed: “Police will focus on crowd management, traffic coordination, and public safety to ensure the events proceed peacefully and smoothly.”
The Philippine National Police also reminded the public to cooperate with police instructions, obey traffic controls, and participate in activities peacefully and lawfully.