SAN FERNANDO CITY (PIA) –The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO-1) mobilized its personnel and deployed a total of 2,159 police officers in the Ilocos Region in view of this year’s observance of Semana Santa and summer vacation.

Some 797 of said personnel were deployed in Ilocos Norte; 361 in Ilocos Sur; 362 in La Union; and 639 in Pangasinan.  

Deployment started on April 3 and will be until May 31.

PMaj Adriano Licudan Jr., Assistant Division Chief of the PRO-1's Regional Operations Division, said the deployed personnel will ensure peace and order in places of convergence, transportation hubs, tourists destinations, and areas with ongoing road construction, as an influx of tourists and returning residents are expected to arrive in the region for the holy week which also coincides  with the summer vacation. 

“Lawless elements may take advantage of the situation and carry their criminal activities amidst the Lenten Season and celebration of local town/city fiestas and other significant observance coinciding summer vacation,” Licudan noted.

He added, “We will conduct mobile patrol and inspection in places of worship, terminals, major thoroughfares, commercial areas, and other places of convergence to ensure the safety and security of both tourists and locals.”

There are a total of 808 deployment areas in the region.

Also, 637 police assistance desks were established across the Ilocos to aid motorists, tourists, and locals in terms of public safety concerns.

Licudan calls for the public to be alert and vigilant againts perpetrators, and to know the location of first-aid stations and police assistance posts in the place of destination when traveling or going out for trips or getaways this holy week and summer vacation. (JCR/MJTAB/CGC, PIA Region 1)