Security in place for Holy Week, summer vacation

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Police here and in Negros Occidental have been deployed to their respective areas starting Sunday, April 2, to secure the observance of Holy Week and summer vacation.

Police Captain Judesses Catalogo, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said that they are now on heightened alert status.

Catalogo said police were deployed to churches, public plazas, and public transport terminals to ensure the safety of church-goers and travelers.

Police assistance desks (PADs) were also placed in churches to ensure peace and order, considering the volume of church-goers.

Police will also be present in beach resorts and mountain resorts.

Catalogo said 80 new police officers from Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 were added to the provincial police force, which now has about 2,600 personnel.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Sherlock Gabana, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that at least 200 personnel from various police stations were deployed to secure the Lenten Season here.

Gabana said that at least two police officers are assigned to PADs in Churches during masses or Holy Week-related activities.

Personnel were also deployed to terminals, while other officers will conduct roving patrols in beach resorts.

Gabana said the deployment of other personnel depends on the needs of every area.

He said that 98 police officers were also added to the city police force recently. Currently, the BCPO has about 900 personnel, he added.