Ilocos provinces tap more cops for tourist sites

ROAD CONSTRUCTION -- The Department of Public Works and Highways continues to implement road construction and improvement to further provide access and good roads to the public. Undated photo shows road construction at the Naguilian Road leading to La Union from Baguio City. (PNA photo by Liza T. Agoot) 

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union -- Police chiefs in key tourist destinations in La Union were directed to activate their respective tourist police units after Ilocos provinces were placed under Covid-19 Alert Level 2.
    “The Ilocos police will be on multi-role functions and will remain focused on mitigating the spread of the virus, especially that there is the threat of the new variant–Omicron,” said Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Peralta, director of Regional Police Office 1, in a statement Dec. 2.

    Peralta also ordered maximum police presence and visibility, especially in strategic and crowded areas frequented by tourists.
    “Police presence and visibility will be increased, with the augmentation of personnel from the Provincial Mobile Force to police stations,” Peralta said.
    Meanwhile, all Philippine National Police personnel conducting patrol operations in different tourist destinations in the region are instructed not to carry long firearms, only pistols.
    “We will make the people feel safe with a less aggressive stance. We will maintain the police presence and alertness yet friendly PNP image,” Peralta said.
    The said police operations and deployment are preparatory activities for the 2022 elections.
    “With these, we promote the proper observance of health protocols, at the same time, we provide security and assistance to both the locals and the tourists, and ultimately, we deter criminality. It’s like hitting three birds with one stone,” he added.