Article by:
Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will deploy 4,000 police officers to ensure the peaceful conduct of local campaign activities which starts on Friday.
NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Felipe Natividad, said Thursday that police personnel in the region are equipped to patrol and monitor their areas of responsibility to prevent criminal activities and respond to untoward incidents.
The five police districts under NCRPO are the Manila Police District (MPD), Quezon City Police District (QCPD), Northern Police District (NPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and Eastern Police District (EPD).
“The forthcoming National and Local Elections 2022 is expected to be more challenging than it was before considering the fact that we are facing a global health crisis at the moment. We must modify our strategies to adapt to the new environment,” Natividad said in a statement.
He added that they will continue to maximize police presence and conduct relentless operations to guarantee safe, peaceful, and fair elections.
The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has scrapped the rule on obtaining permits from its campaign committee for the holding of rallies in areas under Alert Levels 1 and 2.
Campaign activities have also been allowed at 100 percent capacity and 70 percent capacity for Alert Level 1 and 2 areas, respectively.
Previously, only 70 percent capacity was allowed for campaign activities in areas under Alert Level 1, while 50 percent capacity was permitted under Alert Level 2.
However, handshakes, kissing, and taking selfies remain prohibited under the relaxed campaign rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, in observation of the Summer Vacation, the NCRPO is implementing the "Ligtas Sumvac 2022" and will deploy 11,352 police officers to maintain peace and order, enforce the law, and ensure the implementation of minimum public health standard protocols regionwide.
Natividad assured optimum police presence within areas of convergence regardless of lesser restrictions on the movement and gathering of people due to the downgrade of alert level classification.
With the various activities being observed during SUMVAC such as Philippine Veterans Week, Araw ng Kagitingan, Lenten, Season, Labor Day, Flores De Mayo as well as National and Local Elections, the police force is expecting an influx of people in public places to include tourist destinations, transportation hub terminals, places of worship, malls, markets, commercial areas, parks, and other parts of the community.
Aside from this, Natividad ordered all district directors and station commanders to focus on the implementation of the enhanced managing police operations strategy and other pre-emptive security measures while the public enjoys family gatherings, town fiestas and other significant events.
Furthermore, coordination among partner agencies such as Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), local government units (LGUs), force multipliers, volunteer groups, and other concerned agencies have been made for target hardening measures; traffic management/direction and control other related police public safety services to ensure the safety and protection of the public and their properties.
The NCRPO through its Regional Community Affairs Development Division (RCADD), will distribute safety tips pamphlets; and strengthen public engagement and information dissemination for this summer vacation.
Natividad urged the cooperation of residents in Metro Manila to remain vigilant and alert to prevent unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of the season. (PNA)
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