No Christmas break for policemen

Like Santa’s elves, policemen will be kept busy manning their shifts during the Christmas holidays.

Director-General Alan Purisima, chief of the Philippine National Police, yesterday said policemen will not break for the holidays and are instead will be keeping watch over communities. The country’s top cop was in Cebu yesterday to preside over the command conference of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).

“We do our jobs this Christmas season because our fellow countrymen need us, that is why we don’t have vacation,” he said.

The number of crimes did not increase during the holiday season in the past years because of police visibility, Purisima explained, also reminding the public to be vigilant against thieves.

“We are enhancing our operations for the different activities this Christmas. Taon-taon may ginagawa tayong hakbang para mabawasan ang krimen sa mga simbahan,” he added.

After the conference, Purisima led the recognition of seven police personnel for their outstanding performance.

The awardees were: Supt. Alet Virtucio, Insp. Fortunato Villafuerte and PO1 Albert Jucom of Bohol, Supt. Rex Derilo of the regional intelligence division, and Insp. James Conaco, SPO2 Meliton Agadier and PO2 Pepo Ansag of Cebu province.

He lauded the Central Visayas policemen for their organized and well thought-out response to the recent calamities.