PRO 7 Raises Heightened Alert For Cops In Central Visayas For Holy Week

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 has raised a heightened alert for all police personnel in Central Visayas for the Holy Week, an official said.

Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, PRO 7 director, said they deployed police officers in several tourist spots in Central Visayas, like Panglao Island in Bohol and Bantayan Island and Malapascua Island in Cebu, to make sure vacationers are safe during the long weekend.

Police officers are also assigned in major churches whereactivities like Visita Iglesia and the Seven Last Words are held on Maundy Thursday and Black Friday.

He said they are also ready for the Kabanhawan Festival in Minglanilla on Easter Sunday.

Gaerlan has urged the public not to bring expensive valuables like jewelry and big amount of cash when they are on vacation to avoid attracting criminals.

He said families taking a vacation should ask their neighbors or relatives to look after their houses.

Seaports and bus terminals will also be secured by the police, said Gaerlan.

Senior Superintedent Clifford Gairanod, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) officer-in-charge, said he deployed 55 police officers to Bantayan Island and they will be supervised by three police officials.

He said they had tapped the Regional Public Safety Batallion (RPSB) 7, which augmented 28 officers.

He said he also sent 13 officers to secure the Cebu South Bust Terminal on N. Bacalso Avenue, Cebu City to secure passengers returning to their hometowns.(PNA) FFC/EB/EDS