THE PNP will go on full alert status on Friday, coinciding with the start of traditional “Simbang Gabi” to ensure the safety of people during the Christmas season, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr said yesterday.
Azurin said he has given instructions to police units to beef up police presence in areas that people frequent, including malls.
“They should be visible so that if police response is needed by our countrymen, they are ready… They should be ready, on call, anytime,” he said.
PNP spokeswoman Col. Jean Fajardo said police visibility will not only be increased in churches but also in malls and restaurants where people may go after attending the early morning mass.
She said more policemen will be deployed in transport terminals due to the anticipated increase of people using public transportation during the season.
Azurin also said policemen are allowed to go on Christmas break but said they will be on call.
“We will require our personnel, where they are on vacation, to report their presence to the nearest police station so if police response or additional police assistance is needed in that area, they can help,” he said.
Fajardo said the PNP has not monitored “any serious or credible threat” to Yuletide celebrations.
“But of course we are not going to be complacent,” she said.
Azurin said the PNP will not tape muzzle of policemen firearms during the season, like in the past years.
“It is expected that commanders will keep reminding their personnel that they are not supposed to be firing their respective issued guns or even their private-owned gun just for the sake of celebrating Christmas or New Year,” he said.
Azurin said any policeman caught illegally discharging firearms to celebrate Christmas or New Year will be punished.
“That is tantamount to giving up their police service and police career. As I have been saying, they are adults, they should be aware what actions are prohibited,” said Azurin.
To civilians caught discharging their firearms during Christmas and New Year revelry, Azurin said there will be lifetime revocation of their license.
Meanwhile, motorists should prepare for a more congested EDSA as vehicular volume is expected to reach as high as 430,000 daily due to the holiday rush, said Romando Artes, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
He said a congested EDSA will affect traffic flow on secondary roads in the metropolis.
Part the reason for the expected spike in vehicle volume is the location of major shopping malls near EDSA, Artes said.
Last month, the MMDA and shopping malls reached an agreement to adjust mall operating hours to help address the expected traffic woes during the holiday season. The agreement provides mall operations from 11a.m. to 11p.m, from the previous 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., until Jan. 6, 2003.
Road excavation and upgrading activities, pipe laying, and similar works have also been suspended also up to January 6.
