The Philippine National Police (PNP) has instructed all police units across Metro Manila and other urban hubs to bolster crime prevention and scale up officer visibility following the onset of the nation’s extended Christmas season.
Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., Chief of the PNP, stated that enforcement personnel will focus their deployments around public transport hubs, commercial complexes, open markets, and other high-density areas.
“Our priority is to prevent crimes before they happen and ensure a safe and peaceful holiday season,” Nartatez stated.
The country officially entered the “ber” months on September 1, kicking off a months-long period marked by heightened commercial transactions, domestic travel, and public gatherings.
Warning that criminal networks often target increased holiday movement and financial transactions, Nartatez cautioned citizens to remain watchful against opportunists.
“The public should remain vigilant against theft, robbery, scams, and other crimes that may take advantage of increased shopping, cash transactions, and travel during the holiday season,” the PNP chief said.
“We also remind everyone to secure their belongings, avoid sharing real-time locations online, and immediately report suspicious activities to the police,” he added.
To sustain security, police commanders have been instructed to ramp up routine patrols in high-risk zones and coordinate directly with local government authorities and community partners to resolve developing safety issues.
Closing his directive, Nartatez stressed that maintaining public order through the holiday rush requires joint efforts between law enforcement and citizens.
“We want the people to enjoy the Christmas season with their families, but we also ask everyone to remain alert and take simple precautions. Crime prevention is a shared responsibility between the police and the community,” Nartatez concluded.