Director General Arturo C. Lomibao, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has placed the 120,000-strong force on heightened security alert under the 75-day summer security plan "Oplan Bantay-Lakbay".
According to PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Samuel D. Pagdilao Jr., Lomibao also instructed the Directorate for Operations to relay for immediate implementation the implementing guidelines of Oplan Bantay-Lakbay to police regional directors and heads of the PNP National Support Units.
"The implementation of the summer security plan starts this week and is timed to coincide with the closing of the school year when most students are expected to troop home to the provinces for the Holy Week and summer vacation," Pagdilao said.
Lomibao reportedly issued the directive from Singapore where he is attending a meeting of police organizations from Asian regions on the threat of biochemical terrorist attacks.
He is expected to arrive in the country tomorrow, March 30.
Pagdilao said the 75-day security plan covers the last week of March until the second week of June when regular classes resume.
In anticipation of the unusually heavy commuter and motorist traffic, the PNP will deploy more men to air, sea and land transport terminals.
As part of the security plan, police personnel will conduct security checks at airports, seaports and bus terminals to guard against criminals and terrorists who may take advantage of the holiday season.
Under Oplan Bantay-Lakbay, police assistance centers will be established along national highways, primarily in the entire stretch of the Maharlika Highway from North to South Luzon and the Strong Republic Nautical Highway in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Pagdilao said that elements of the PNP Traffic Management Group (TMG) will spearhead the road safety operation.
The PNP spokesman said the police assistance centers will serve as quick reaction points for security and medical emegencies, and advance command post for traffic management and security operations.
"All police assistance centers are linked with Patrol 117 and TXT PNP 2920 nationwide emergency hotlines," he added.
In coastal resort areas, the PNP Maritime Group and local police units will conduct seaborne patrol operations, particularly in beach resorts and tourism zones.
In Metro Manila, Oplan Bantay-Lakbay will be spearheaded by the PNP National Capital Region Police Office in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other concerned government agencies.
He said that security operations in Metro Manila will center on preventive patrols and neighborhood watch to guard against criminals who may take advantage of homes left unattended by their occupants who are on vacation.
Summer security plan
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