The spokersperson of the National Capital Region Police Office, P/Lt. Col. Dexter Versola, yesterday urged shoppers to practice vigilance to avoid being victimized by criminals taking advantage of the holiday rush.

Unless necessary, parents should consider leaving their children at home in the care of responsible adults when going into crowded areas to shop for gifts and Christmas goodies, Versola said.

The NCRPO official issued the reminder in an interview with Daily Tribune's digital show Gising Na! Tuesday morning.

Versola said 14,000 police officers and force multipliers have been deployed in the metro to ensure the safety and security of people in the capital region during the Yuletide season.

On Monday, NCRPO chief P/Maj. Gen. Jonnel Estomo reported the seizure of P39 million worth of illegal drugs from 300 operations from 3 to 9 December, resulting in the arrest of 516 suspects and 18-high value targets.

A total of 357 cases had been filed in relation to the police operations, Estomo said. Seized during the period were 5,790 grams of shabu and 2,074 grams of marijuana with a combined street value of P39.6 million.

The Southern Police District hauled in P28.1 million with 151 arrested suspects as the best performing district for the period.

According to police data, 26,544 of the country's 42,046 barangays had been declared "drug-cleared."