The entire police force in Negros Oriental is fully deployed for the Christmas and New Year celebrations to ensure public safety, an official said on Tuesday, December 16.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, acting spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) and head of the provincial police tourism unit, said in an interview that 1,400 personnel will be on duty during these days.

At the start of the Misa de Aguinaldo (dawn masses) from December 16 to 24, uniformed personnel were instructed to secure the churches as groups of Catholic faithful gather each night for the nine-day novena masses.

“Police chiefs have been directed not to go on leave during these times to ensure that the directives of our Negros Island Region [NIR] police director are fully implemented,” Polinar said.

During the holiday season, the NIR regional police director, Brigadier General Thomas Ibay, has also instructed police chiefs and unit commanders to increase police presence at places of worship and set up assistance desks.

Ibay also underscored the importance of vigilance and police visibility at key points like passenger terminals, airports, sea ports, and checkpoint locations.

Meanwhile, Polinar said the police are told to keep an eye on young people who may disrupt the holidays with unruly behavior, especially at night spots like bars and restaurants.

Regarding the implementation of curfew hours, it will depend on a local government unit (LGU) that may have an ordinance in place and would ask the police to enforce it, he added.

The police is also working closely with the maritime police and the Coast Guard to monitor seafarers entering and leaving the province through the ports.

Polinar has also instructed his staff in the tourist police to regularly inspect hotels and resorts, especially in Dauin and Dumaguete, to monitor tourist arrivals and ensure their safety and well-being. (PNA)