Manila Police District chief P/Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon warned police officers under his command to man their posts during the holidays with full attention and not to be caught sleeping on the job.

Dizon said that those who would be caught remiss in their duties would be made to face administrative sanctions. He said that criminals often take advantage of people engaged in merrymaking to attack.

"It's important we remain alert as many people go about drinking and criminals take the opportunity to strike, especially during Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations," he said.

The MPD chief said he would personally lead inspections of police outposts, but warned that he would do so incognito to check the attendance and also the readiness of people under his command.

Of special attention would be places of convergence like commercial centers like the Divisoria night market.

He said the MPD is unleashing "kulambo" or mosquito net security during the holidays. Each church in the city would have a police mobile outpost backed by cops on motorcycles.

Checkpoints would also be in place all over the city, he said.