Palace assures public safety this Holy Week
Malacañang assured yesterday that public safety remains the top priority of the government even as the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that it has not monitored any specific threat for the Holy Week.
As people are expected to go to their hometowns or go on vacation for the Holy Week, Malacañang assured that security and safety measures are in place.
Presidential spokesman
Harry Roque said security and safety measures are in place as Filipinos have started their annual exodus to their hometowns for the Lenten break.
“As we expect the heavy movement of people this Holy Week, we have been gearing up security and safety preparations. Public safety remains our top priority,” he said.
Roque also said that despite not monitoring any threat to public safety, the police and military remain on high alert and will not be lax. He assured that additional deployments were made to public places.
“Law enforcement and security personnel have monitored no specific threat but we will not put our guard down,” he said.
“Appropriate security measures are in place to ensure public safety. These include additional deployments in various areas aimed at safeguarding places of convergence, such as transport terminals, churches, malls, and other public recreation areas,” he added.
Roque urged the public to support and cooperate with the government’s efforts to ensure everyone’s security and safety during the observance of the Lenten season.
“Public support can be manifested through everyone’s cooperation in the conduct of safety checks, security checkpoints, compliance with traffic regulations, and maintaining complete situational awareness of their surroundings at all times,” he said.
“Everyone is called upon to immediately report suspicious characters and unattended materials such as packages, bags, and other objects that are out of place,” he added.
“With everyone’s cooperation, we look forward to a solemn Holy Week,” he continued.
The AFP said it will not put its guard down and will continue to conduct appropriate security measures where they are needed to safeguard vulnerable communities from criminals and terrorists.
“There will be appropriate deployment when and where the need arises. In every security measure, there will always be a gap that criminals and terrorists will pursue and take advantage of,” the AFP said.
“Again, we recognize the importance of the help of our citizens and the community against the enemies of peace. We call on our people to be part of the security net to detect, deter and frustrate any move by criminals and terrorists,” it added.
The AFP Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR) had earlier said that it will be deploying at least 700 soldiers in various areas in Metro Manila to augment the police forces in securing public places and other areas in the metropolis during the Lenten break this week.
JTF-NCR commander Brig. Gen. Alan Arrojado, said additional 100 military reservists will join in securing transport hubs, malls, and other areas where people usually converge.
He said there will be forces that will be deployed in Quiapo Church, bus terminals, South and North harbors, airports and stations of mass transport systems in Metro Manila.
Corporal works of mercy Prelature of Marawi Bishop Edwin Dela Peña has called on the faithful to do corporal works of mercy in observance of the Holy Week, saying these will make the observance of the Holy Week more meaningful.
“Let us do corporal works of mercy instead of just simply observing traditional sacrifices like fasting. Fasting is good but maybe, we can also opt for the kind of fasting that would benefit our brothers and sisters to make our sacrifice more meaningful,” Dela Peña said over Church-run Radio Veritas.
Corporal works of mercy may include feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and the prisoners, the elderly,and the dead, and almsgiving, among others.
Meanwhile, the three-day “pabasa,” a well-preserved Holy Week tradition begins today, Holy Monday, particularly in the provinces where it has remained a common Holy Week observance. Also known as “pasyon” in reference to the Passion of Christ, the Gregorian chanting of the poetic prayer story on the life, passion, death, and resurrection of Christ, is traditionally led by the town elders who sing in shifts. In recent years, the melodies of popular tunes are alternately used with the traditional chanting in monotone to make it sound more interesting, lively, and appealing even to the young.
Focus on Jesus
On Palm Sunday, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle urged the faithful to focus on knowing Jesus this Holy Week. “I invite all of you starting today, to focus on Jesus. Look at Jesus. Listen to Jesus for us to deeply know Him again,” he added.
Tagle also appealed to the faithful to generously share their blessings with Alay Kapwa, the Lenten Evangelization and fundraising program of the Catholic Church.
EcoWaste Coalition and the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control Alliance Philippines (FCAP) urged everyone to refrain from littering and avoid smoking during the Holy Week.
“Preventing litter and smoke pollu- tion during the solemn days and beyond will do good for human health and the environment,” the groups said.
“We particularly appeal to those joining the penitential walk to Antipolo City and those visiting popular pilgrimage sites to mind their trash. As stewards or caretakers of God’s creation, it is our shared responsibility to demonstrate respect for the environment, especially when performing faith-based activities,” said Daniel Alejandre, Zero Waste campaigner.
FCAP Executive Director Dr. Maria Encarnita Limpin appealed to smokers to observe the Holy Week in a smoke-free manner, for tobacco smoke can put their health, as well as the health of others, at risk. (With reports from Christina I. Hermoso, Leslie Ann G. Aquino, and Analou De Vera)