MANILA, Philippines—The director of the Eastern Police District met with security officers of major malls in Mandaluyong City, Wednesday, to coordinate peacekeeping and security efforts during the Christmas season, especially in the busy Ortigas commercial district.

Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele said he spoke with the security managers, officers and personnel of the SM Megamall, Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Star Mall, among others, at 7 a.m. at the Megamall open parking lot.

“I introduced to them the officers of EPD headquarters and the Mandaluyong police for proper coordination,” he said.

“This way, the security guards will be familiar with our police officials and they will know whom to coordinate with in case there’s a major incident,” Mantele said.

The official said he expected a “10-20 percent rise” in criminal cases during the Christmas shopping rush in the next few weeks.

“We expect an increase in crimes against property, but not so drastic because we’ll do our jobs properly to limit these criminal activities,” Mantele said.

He said police visibility would have to be doubled during the holiday season to keep up with big crowds in shopping centers around the Ortigas district.

On Thursday, he said the EPD would give the mall officers a lecture on crime prevention and emergency response.

“We will show and teach them what to look for when conducting their routine bag inspection, and what to do and who to call when they find anything suspicious,” Mantele said.