MANILA, Philippines–Metro Manila police will maintain the full alert status, which took effect early December, until the Black Nazarene procession on January 9.
Police Director Carmelo Valmoria, newly minted chief of the National Capital Region Police Office, said Tuesday in a radio report that the NCRPO’s full alert status will continue until the parade of the Black Nazarene in Manila that is expected to draw scores of devotees.
On New Year’s eve, Valmoria said the NCRPO has deployed enough police forces to man areas in the metropolis to ensure security and order in anticipation of accidents and crimes.
He added that the NCRPO has also prepared police forces that are on stand by any time for deployment.
Early December, Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima announced that policemen will have no Christmas break this year.
When the police are on full alert status, police visibility is increased, security is tightened in public places, particularly at malls, sea and air ports and bus terminals.
A full alert status means leaves of all police personnel are cancelled and they will have to report to their posts.
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