PNP ramps up Holy Week security, deploys 52,000 officers

PNP chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr | PHOTO: Official facebook page of PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced a significant increase in deployed personnel nationwide for Holy Week, with a total of 52,000 officers.

Initially, the PNP planned to deploy about 34,000 officers, but PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said the police force made adjustments.

“We just wanted to make sure that everything is covered,” Acorda said at a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Acorda stated that 52,273 officers would be deployed in various areas nationwide.

Most of them, or 17,499, will be assigned to “places of convergence” like malls and terminals. A total of 12,640 will also be posted at places of worship.

Major thoroughfares nationwide will see 9,789 personnel, while ports will be manned with 3,854 officers.

Additionally, 8,491 officers will serve as a standby support force at the PNP headquarters.

Holy Week this year will begin on March 25 (Holy Monday) and continue until March 31 (Easter Sunday).

Holy Week is the most solemn period in the Catholic Church’s liturgical calendar when Christians commemorate the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ over 2,000 years ago.