BUTUAN CITY (MindaNews/30 March) – Police commands in the Caraga Region and in Cagayan de Oro City will put their personnel on full alert status and deploy them in key locations starting Monday, the start of the Holy Week.
Chief Inspector Lemuel Gonda, operations head of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) said in a phone interview that they are implementing “Oplan Banal na Araw.”
“More than 300 Cocpo personnel together with an additional of 418 trainees from the Regional Training School will be securing key strategic locations all over Cagayan de Oro City,” said Gonda.
“Our Explosives and Ordnance Division together with our Special Weapons and Tactics teams will be busy checking travel hubs such as the west- and east-bound terminals as well as churches and other religious destinations,” he added.
He pointed out that they have also coordinated with the Roads and Traffic Administration, Oro Rescue and the barangay police to augment the manpower of the PNP especially in Malasag and Guadalupe where devotees are expected to join the stations of the cross.
The Butuan City Police Office said they will deploy 360 personnel in addition to the 400 members of the Regional Public Safety Battalion.
City police director Senior Supt. Pedro Obaldo Jr. said they will focus on churches, terminals and other spots where many people are expected.
He said members of the Special Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit Active Auxiliary have been re-deployed from the city proper to the remote barangays and transport hubs of the city to further ensure security.
Caraga regional police director Supt Reynaldo S. Rafal said they are implementing Operational Plan for Summer Vacation Activities (Oplan Sumvac) to preempt criminal and terror activities.
Supt. Martin Gamba, regional police spokesperson said they are implementing Oplan Sumvac in anticipation of the influx of more visitors to Caraga this summer. (Erwin Mascarinas/MindaNews)