PNP to deploy snipers for Black Nazarene

NCRPO Chief P/Dir. Oscar Albayalde during the press breifing on Traslacion 2018 at the Camp Crame in Quezon City. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

The Philippine National Police will position some of its snipers in high-rise structures to scan for threats to the Black Nazarene feast on January 9.

“This year, we will be deploying sa [in] high-rise buildings. We will also be deploying drones in all segments,” National Capital Region Police Office chief Police Director Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing Friday.

One company or about a hundred troops from the Special Action Force composed of snipers, EOD, and SWAT teams will be deployed from the evening of January 8 to the early morning of January 10.

A total of 5,613 police forces and augmentation from the military will be sent out to secure the largest gathering of Catholics in the Philippines.

“Merong [there is an] observer, may [there is a] telescope ang SRU (Special Reaction Unit) ng SAF na magbabantay sa [that will guard] vital installations,” Albayalde said.

“One way para makita ang mga nangyayari [to see what are happening] is to monitor from the top of the buildings,” he said.

Albayalde reiterated that they have not monitored terror threats for the upcoming event.

“Sa ngayon wala tayong nakukuhang [Right now, we are not getting] any threat. We have also conducted our own joint regional intelligence meeting so far walang nakukuhang [no] info. Although hindi daw tayo pwede mag relax [we cannot relax], our intelligence operatives are continuously monitoring threat groups even outside Metro Manila na pwedeng gumalaw [who can move] during the Traslacion,” he said.

The regional police chief assured the public that they have already ironed out the preparations for the procession, with millions of devotees expected to attend.

“I think everything was taken cared of. Kulang na lang dito dasal na lang [What is lacking here is prayer],” he said.