At least 70,000 police officers have been deployed across the Philippines to ensure public safety during the holiday break, authorities said on Saturday, December 20.
Of this number, 14,000 are stationed in Metro Manila, according to Hazel Asilo, spokesperson for the NCR Police Office.
Police are positioned in high-traffic areas, including churches, malls, commercial centers, major thoroughfares, bus terminals, and LRT/MRT stations.
“Nandyan po yung ating kapulisan para ma-ensure na sila po ay mananatiling ligtas at syempre, kung kailangan ng agarang assistance ay agad-agad po, nandyan po agad ang malalapitan nila,” Asilo said.
She noted that while heavy traffic remains a concern, popular areas have been more manageable this year as many people prepared in advance.
Incidents of robbery have also decreased, and police remain on standby at assistance desks inside and outside malls to preempt crimes.
The public was reminded to lock doors, windows, and gates when leaving home and to avoid leaving valuables within outsiders’ reach.