By Ronron
November 3, 2007
The Philippine National Police (PNP) downgraded its alert level nationwide on Saturday morning, except for Metro Manila and the Special Action Force (SAF) unit, as it notes the “peaceful celebration” of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day last Thursday and Friday, respectively.
According to Chief Supt. Silverio Alarcio, chief of the PNP Directorate for Operations, the alert level of the PNP was lowered to heightened level as of 8am yesterday, except for the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) and SAF, which retains its full alert status.
“Because of the peaceful celebration, we downgraded it to heightened, except for NCRPO and SAF,” Alarcio said in a text message yesterday afternoon.
NCRPO chief Director Geary Barias said in a separate phone interview that they are retaining the full alert status because they still have to guard the bus terminals and highways in the capital.
“We are expecting our fellow Filipinos to be back to Metro Manila only on Sunday from a long vacation in the provinces,” Barias said in Filipino.
The alert of the 120,000-strong PNP was placed on full status at 8am last October 31 as it launched Operation Plan Kaluluwa to secure the country’s celebration of the All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
When under full alert, the entire police force is required to go on duty to ensure adequate personnel in times of contingencies. But if it is only heightened level, only 50 percent of the police force is required to do so. Policemen can only avail of their official leave during a normal alert level.
But Alarcio said that even if they have downgraded their alert, policemen will still be “on the ground until all the people are back in their work places or residences.”
On Friday night, PNP chief Gen. Avelino Razon, Jr. reported that the long holiday was “generally peaceful,” noting only 11 incidents in Metro Manila and the LPG tank explosion in Cavite.
“This ideal situation of uneventful and orderly holiday celebration is the fruit of the vigilance of Mamang Pulis and the cooperation of the citizens,” Razon said in a statement.
As he commended all police personnel for the “excellent job,” Razon thanked the Armed Forces of the Philippines, non-governmental organizations, local government units and other government agencies “for extending assistance.”
“We are looking forward to implementing similar preventive security measures during the much-awaited Christmas season,” Razon said./DMS
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