Albayalde: No holiday break for Metro Manila cops

Police Director Oscar Albayalde, head of the NCRPO. File photo / Philippine Daily Inquirer

No holiday breaks would be granted to police personnel in Metro Manila during the holidays as they would remain on “full alert” this Christmas season, according to the director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

NCRPO chief Regional Director Oscar Albayalde said that all five police districts have already been ordered to step up safety and security measures all throughout the metro.

“I gave orders to all our field commanders to ensure deployment of our personnel in churches… and in malls, and open markets,” Albayalde said in a statement Friday evening.

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“Likewise, I also ordered the maximized deployment of our Special Reactions Units for Oplan Sita in critical or crime-prone areas,” the NCRPO chief said.

Albayalde said that he will conduct random inspections with “Red Teams,” or the so-called police auditors who will determine whether or not security efforts would need upgrades, at any given time.

“I reiterate also my previous instruction that all immediate supervisors will be held responsible for the deeds and misdeeds of their personnel,” he said.

Since no holiday break would be given, Albayalde said that Metro Manila policemen would rather celebrate the season with the community where they would be assigned.

“We encourage the public to welcome the presence of our police in areas they frequent for prayers or shopping however, report any suspicious individuals or groups so that we can immediately extend police assistance.” Albayalde said. /jpv