Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) spokesperson, Police Senior Inspector Armilyn Vargas, said the city’s police force is currently on “full alert” status for the holiday season, particularly, with the annual ‘Simbang Gabi’ observance beginning on Saturday.

In an interview yesterday morning, Vargas said, under ‘Oplan: Ligtas Paskuhan 2017,’ police are ordered to maximize their presence in crowded areas, which include malls, churches, and transport terminals. Authorities are also ordered to conduct mobile and foot patrols in their areas of operation.

In addition, police station commanders are also ordered to set up police assistance desks at transport terminals and churches.

Vargas reminded those attending early morning mass and travelers to properly secure their homes.

Meanwhile, she noted, while unaccompanied minors will be allowed to attend the church services, anybody caught loitering outside church premises during curfew hours, between 10:00 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., would be questioned and picked up by police.

Vargas added, officers cannot go on leave while on “full alert” status./DGB, WDJ