PNP implements summer security plans nationwide

By Myds Supnad

CAMP BADO DANGWA, Benguet -- Full-scale public safety operations went underway last week as transient students in urban areas began the annual exodus to the provinces at the closing of the school year.

This developed as the Philippine National Police OplanSumVac 2012 shifted to high gear in anticipation of the heavy volume of outbound motorist and commuter traffic ahead of the anticipated Holy Week retreat to the provinces next week.

Transportation officials estimate 30 to 40 percent increase in commuter traffic via overland and inter-island modes of travel during the Holy Week.

OplanSumVac 2012 is the PNP’s nationwide security plan that aims to ensure safe and secure travel of motorists and commuters in air, sea, and land transportation, said a report received here.

This nationwide law enforcement and public safety plan will cover the entire 2 ½- month summer holiday season that began at the closing of the school year in March and will peak in the Holy Week in April and extend through the fiesta and Flores de Mayo season in May until the opening of classes in June.

According to PNP Chief, Director General Nicanor A Bartolome, OplanSumVac aims to promote travel safety among motorists and commuters, as well as local and foreign travelers who will take make use of the summer holiday season to visit the country’s tourist destinations.

The operations include mandatory security checks at airports, seaports, and bus terminals to guard against criminal and terrorist elements that may take advantage of the holiday rush.

Bartolome instructed PNP Unit commanders to put-up Police Assistance Centers (PAC) in strategic locations along national highways, primarily along the entire stretch of the Maharlika Highway from North to South Luzon, the Manila South Road from Manila to Bicol, the Manila East Road from Eastern Metro Manila to
Northern Quezon, the Strong Republic Nautical Highway that passes through island provinces in Visayas and Mindanao, and other major thoroughfares. The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) and Regional Police Offices will spearhead road safety operations in these areas.

Police Assistance Centers will serve as quick-reaction points for police emergency and medical response, and advance command post for traffic management and road security operations.

All PACs are linked with Patrol 117 nationwide emergency telephone hotline, and the TXT PNP 2920 SMS hotline, according to PNP spokesman, Chief Supt.Agrimero A Cruz Jr.

In coastal resort areas, the Maritime Group and local PNP units were tasked to conduct seaborne patrols and other police security functions to assist in enforcing maritime laws and local ordinances that impose safety regulations in the operation of inter-island vessels and motorized boats that ferry passengers across bodies of water.

In Metro Manila, OplanBantay-Lakbay will be spearheaded by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) in coordination with the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Local Government Units.

Police Stations Metro Manila and other urban centers are tasked to conduct preventive patrols and neighborhood watch to guard against criminal elements that may take advantage of unattended residences.

At the same time, all commercial business establishments, shopping malls, places of worship, MRT & LRT, and other vital installations will be placed under intensive security coverage.

But even while the PNP is preoccupied with public safety operations for the entire summer vacation season, the PNP Chief assured intensified police operations will continue against street crime syndicates especially those involving riding-in-tandem suspects.

“We need to sustain the momentum of our successful police operations against riding-in-tandem suspects especially now that we are on a winning streak against street crime,” the PNP chief said.