PNP on heightened alert for holidays

All police units nationwide went on heightened alert on December 22 in anticipation of the Christmas and New Year revelry. NESTOR CORRALES / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Police (PNP) declared a heightened alert status in anticipation of the Christmas and New Year revelry, a spokesman said Monday.

Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor, PNP spokesman, said the heightened alert took effect Monday and would be lifted on Jan. 3, 2015.

“PNP units are now on heightened alert. It depends on regional directors if they want to upgrade the status,” Mayor told reporters during the ceremonial sealing of the firearms of policemen in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

The PNP on Monday conducted a nationwide simultaneous taping of gun muzzles.

Mayor said the gun tapes would be removed only a day after New Year or on January 2.

Policemen could remove the tapes in special circumstances as long as they could justify it, Mayor said.

Indiscriminate firing during the holidays would be investigated, he said.

Criminal charges, which include alarm and scandal, would be filed against violators.

Mayor warned that policemen could be discharged from service for administrative charges if proven guilty of violating the protocol.
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