The Philippine National Police force. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
The entire Philippine National Police was placed on Thursday on full alert ahead of the holiday rush, when crowds are expected to flock malls and other places. The highest alert status which will last until Jan. 10 will also be in time for the start of “Simbang Gabi” on Friday to boost the visibility of police personnel near churches. Under full alert status, all applications for leave of police personnel are canceled. “At least 85 percent of the more than 220,000 police personnel in all police stations nationwide will render patrol duties to ensure that the public is safe, especially at the start of the Simbang Gabi,” PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said on Thursday. —Dexter Cabalza