Almost 20k security forces deployed for Undas in Eastern Visayas
Officers from the Quezon City Police District inspect the Novaliches Public Cemetery in Novaliches Proper, Quezon City in observance of Oplan ‘Ligtas Undas’ on Sunday.
Photograph courtesy of QCPD
PALO, Leyte – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) said almost 20,000 police personnel, force multipliers and partner agencies will be deployed across Eastern Visayas to provide security for the observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
PRO-8 Regional Director P/BGen. Romano Cardiño a total of 19,972 security forces composed of personnel from various units of Philippine National Police and partners such as the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard and the Bureau of Fire Protection were deployed.
The security also includes force multipliers such as Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), local government units (LGUs), and traffic enforcement teams to assist in maintaining peace and order.
Cardiño said these security forces will be deployed to 326 public and private cemeteries and 11 memorial parks across the region. The deployment started on 31 October until 3 November.
He also placed the entire PRO 8 under full alert status from starting 30 October to 3 November to ensure full operational readiness throughout the observance of the holidays.
He said that of the entire security forces, 5,827 are PNP personnel from PRO 8. These comprise 385 personnel from the Regional Headquarters, 1,185 from the Leyte Police Provincial Office (LPPO), 678 from the Southern Leyte PPO, 338 from the Biliran PPO, 634 from the Samar PPO, 697 from the Eastern Samar PPO, 833 from the Northern Samar PPO, 499 from the Ormoc City Police Office (OCPO), and 578 from the Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO).
Cardiño said 343 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) were established in the entire region, with 2,165 personnel assigned to provide assistance and ensure public safety.
Meanwhile, 409 personnel were assigned to places of worship, 549 to major thoroughfares, 309 to transportation hubs, and 265 to tourist destinations. An additional 697 personnel were deployed for mobile patrols and 1,433 for checkpoint operations.
Partner agencies such as AFP, PCG and BFP deployed 2,193 personnel while 11,952 are force multipliers from BPATs, LGUs, and traffic enforcement teams.
Cardiño emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts among police personnel, partner agencies, and the community in ensuring public safety throughout the observance.