Soldiers to help PNP secure public safety

PHILIPPINE Army (PA) units will augment police forces, particularly in public places of convergence nationwide, to ensure the safety of Filipinos heading for the provinces for the observance of Holy Week.

Col. Louie Dema-ala, Philippine Army Public Affairs chief, said soldiers would closely watch the arrival of people in different places of convergence, particularly devotees visiting religious sites on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

He said the deployment of troops would augment forces from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the lead agency taking care of the security of people going to their respective provinces for holiday break, including tourists.

Also, Dema-ala said Army soldiers were to work side-by-side with police forces in critical areas to provide security cover to local and foreign tourists spending the Holy Week in tourist destinations nationwide.

At least 34,000 police forces will be deployed in places of convergence as part of PNP’s Oplan Ligtas Sumvac (summer vacation).

PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo said police personnel would include 7,000 tourist cops who would secure tourist destinations.

“Initially, we have 43,000 PNP personnel who will be deployed for Oplan Sumvac. However, this will be adjusted, depending on the peace and order environment on the ground,” said Fajardo.

On the other hand, the Philippine Army is on alert to avert any untoward incident during the Holy Week period.

Aside from Army soldiers, other AFP personnel will also augment security in ports, churches, bus terminals, vital entry and exit points of road networks, and government installations.

“Don’t be surprised to see soldiers in the company of police personnel in areas of convergence because it’s part of the security measures,” Demaala said.

So far, he said they have not monitored any threat to peace and order in the country. However, soldiers will help people who need assistance, especially in remote road networks.

“I advise our citizens to ask for assistance from our soldiers in times of need because it is our mandate to help and protect the safety of Filipinos,” Dema-ala said.

He said security operations against local terrorists would be relentless in thwarting activities that might hamper the vacation of Filipinos during Holy Week.