Police alert status in Luzon, Visayas downgraded; Mindanao remains on full alert

MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine National Police on Wednesday said it was lowering the police alert status in all police regional offices (PROs) in Luzon and the Visayas, including the national headquarters and the national support units, from full to heightened alert by early Thursday to give police officers who worked during the weekend and the two-day holiday on Monday and Tuesday a chance to visit their departed loved ones, the PNP spokesman said Wednesday.

“Binababa natin ang status para ’yong mga pulis ay puwedeng magbakasyon at dumalaw sa mga puntod ng mga yumao nilang mga kamag-anak (We are downgrading the status so that our policemen can take their vacation and visit the tombs of their loved ones),” Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said.

However, Cruz said that due to the continuing high threat level in Mindanao, PROs located in the area, which include the Special Action Force, will remain on full alert status.

Cruz said that all unit commanders are given the discretion to upgrade their alert level based on the prevailing peace and order situation in their respective areas.

Cruz said that the alert status will be put up again when the Christmas season comes.

He said that the same preparations for All Saints’ Day will also be made for the coming Christmas and New Year.

The entire PNP force was placed on full alert status last Thursday evening to secure Filipinos who were traveling and visiting their dead in cemeteries during All Saint’s Day on November 1.

The spokesman said that there were at least 5,000 police personnel deployed in Metro Manila to maintain peace and order before and during the All Saints’ Day.