CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — More than a thousand police personnel in Central Luzon will be deployed regionwide from March 25 to March 31 this year to ensure the safety and security of the general public during the observance of the Holy Week.

Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr., regional police director of Central Luzon, said “We are expecting influx of passengers in bus terminals and at the same time pilgrims and devotees to local churches and pilgrimage sites are expected to flock especially on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, this is why I have ordered the maximum deployment of our personnel as well as I have tapped the support of other police units within the region. We have also solicited the support of our force multipliers and auxiliary forces to include our BPATs (Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams) and Radio net groups to help us ensure public safety.”

The region’s Top Cop said that police presence is being intensified through increased foot/mobile patrols and at the same time established police assistance desks/centers.

Beside these, Hidalgo said road safety marshals will be deployed in convergence points particularly in bus terminals, airport, seaports and recreational areas including highways, main thoroughfares and crime prone areas to ensure maximum police presence.

Hidalgo also noted that police personnel will also provide area security in churches and chapels in the region on Palm Sunday, the start of the Holy Week.

“Semana Santa is a time for spiritual reflection for our Catholic devotees and we want them to hold their devout activities without worries. We are committed to ensure their safety and maintain peace and order in the week-long observance of Holy Week,” Hidalgo added.

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