Robredo orders full alert on Holy Week

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to be on full alert for the Holy Week.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo. INQUIRER file photo

In a statement, Robredo said he issued a directive to PNP chief, Director General Nicanor Bartolome, BFP officer-in-charge Chief Superintendent Samuel Perez, and BJMP chief, Jail Director Rosendo Dial “to mobilize their men to adopt safety and security measures and to be on full alert during the long vacation.”

In his order to the police force, Robredo said the PNP should be on the lookout for Akyat Bahay Gang members who preying on unattended houses, as well as pickpockets in places where most people are expected to gather.

Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr., PNP spokesman, said

that they were currently on heightened alert level, but would be on full alert status starting March 28 until April 10, when around 5,000 police officers would be deployed around Metro Manila to secure bus stations, airports, sea ports, malls, and churches, among others.

Robredo directed the BJMP to be on the alert against jailbreaks, and the BFP for incidents of fire and other kinds of emergencies that may occur during the long vacation.

Robredo also urged local government units to boost their safety and security measures in their areas of jurisdiction “particularly in bus and jeepney terminals.”

“As throngs of commuters are expected to troop to their provinces, local governments are expected to enforce appropriate security measures for the benefit of our commuting public,” he said.

Robredo said local officials should also deploy their force multipliers to help maintain peace and order in their communities.

“We are undertaking all the necessary strategies and measures on our end for a solemn and peaceful observance of the Lenten Season,” he said.