PNP advice: Don’t broadcast out-of town trips

MANILA, Philippines—If you are leaving for the provinces for the All Saints Day weekend, don’t advertise it.

The Philippine National Police advises Metro Manila residents leaving for their hometowns to keep a low profile and not to drop clues that the house would be empty during the break to prevent burglaries.

“Don’t put out a note that says: ‘I’m not here,’” PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said, half-joking.

Thousands of Metro Manila residents are expected to visit cemeteries around the country to observe  All Saints Day on November  1, the day Filipinos honor their dead. Although that holiday falls on a Tuesday, October  31 has been declared a holiday as well, giving Filipinos a four-day break.

Cruz said the PNP would be distributing leaflets to remind residents to be careful about the security of their homes since the number of burglaries increases during the holidays when people go out of town.

He said they must not forget to lock all doors and windows, and ensure that there are no ways to enter   the house. He suggested installing burglar alarms and taking other precautions, such as asking a trusted neighbor to watch the house.

Cruz also suggested leaving the radio switched on to make others believe the house is occupied. But all other appliances, including electric fans and gas stoves, must be turned off, he added.

He said the PNP was poised to raise a full alert before the weekend especially in Metro Manila, with some 5,000 police officers deployed in crowded urban centers, especially bus terminals and airports.

“The objective is to keep the policemen in the streets and the criminals behind bars,” Cruz said.