QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – In compliance with the directive of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., the Philippine National Police (PNP) will intensify anti-criminality operations in tourism sites around the country.
In a statement on Saturday, PNP director for operations Major General Valeriano de Leon stressed all police chiefs and station commanders are expected to comply with the order to ensure both local and foreign visitors are safe from crimes.
"We understand the logic behind the order of our Commander-In-Chief, President Marcos, to ensure that all areas in the country, especially tourist spots, are safe because tourism plays a big part in the economic recovery plan of the new administration," De Leon expressed.
De Leon noted that the security measures in the country’s tourist destinations should supplement the previous directive to field commanders to regularly update crime mapping in their areas of responsibility.
"Crime mapping is essential because it gives our commanders an advantage in preparing and implementing measures to prevent crimes at a specific time and location,” De Leon said.
De Leon further explained the tightened security measures should be accompanied by increased intelligence gathering to identify criminals and threat groups in various regions of the country.
“If this is executed properly, we will be at least one step ahead of these criminal elements and [we’ll] be able to provide our countrymen with peace of mind in terms of law and order,” De Leon added.
De Leon also reminded police commanders down to the precinct level and municipal police stations to intensify efforts to account for loose firearms in the country, stressing that loose firearms are the primary weapons used to commit crimes. (JAFD/PIA-IDPD)