PNP enforces no-leave policy for Christmas, New Year

No-leave, no-break policy for the Philippine National Police during the holidays. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines‎–Policemen on duty will no longer be allowed to take a five-day vacation on Christmas and New Year as Philippine National ‎Police (PNP) chief Director General Alan Purisima enforced a “no-leave, no-break” policy from December 15, 2014, to January 10, 2015.

The policy is part of the PNP’s “Ligtas Paskuhan 2014” operation to deter crimes during the holidays.

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said‎ in a phone interview that the implementation has been effective since last year.

“If they are on duty, they’re expected to report to work even during the holidays. But if it’s not their shift anymore, they could go home and celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families,” Mayor said.

In previous years, PNP personnel were allowed a five-day vacation, either during Christmas or New Year week, Mayor said.

“Dati ang PNP forces nakakalahati kapag may break. So ngayon, magduduty na lahat,” he said.

Policemen will be deployed in places of worship, malls, markets, commercial areas, business districts, bus terminals, trains stations, seaports, airports, tourist destinations, vital installations, and will also route security nationwide.

They will be aided by force multipliers ‎from local government units, private security agencies, nongovernment organization, and volunteer groups.

In Metro Manila, around 2,800 volunteers from radio communication groups were tapped by the PNP’s Directorate for Police Community Relations to ‎help ease reporting of crime in areas frequented by people.

Volunteers will be sent to target areas including Trinoma, Pasay LRT station, Doroteo Jose corner Rizal Avenue, University Belt, SM North, LRT Blumentritt North, and Monumento-Caloocan Area.

“It is during this time that policemen should be alert and people should see more cops on the street as it is expected that criminals would go around preying on the public,” Purisima said in a statement.

Purisima is out of the country for a business trip in Saudi Arabia. He is expected to return next week Monday.