Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Friday ordered tightening security measures nationwide for the upcoming Christmas celebrations, from Simbang Gabi to New Year festivities.
In a statement, Nartatez said all police units have shifted to a heightened security posture under the Ligtas Paskuhan 2025 operational guidelines, a comprehensive plan designed to manage the surge of activities, travel and gatherings that traditionally come with the holiday season.
This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure a safe, orderly and peaceful holiday season by strengthening law enforcement operations and enhancing police presence in communities.
Police visibility will be increased in busy areas, including transport terminals, church grounds, commercial districts and popular holiday destinations, he said.
With more overseas Filipino workers expected to arrive this month, police assistance desks have been positioned at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Mactan-Cebu International Airport and key seaports and bus terminals. Officers will support crowd management, traffic flow, lost-and-found cases and emergency incidents.
Churches across the country, especially those historically packed during the nine-day Simbang Gabi, will also see increased police deployment. Patrol teams will work closely with parish volunteers to ensure the orderly ingress and exit of churchgoers.
Beyond crowd management, the PNP said it is strengthening operations against theft, robbery and other crimes that tend to rise during the holiday rush. Police officers will be deployed in crowded markets and commercial areas, while police checkpoints will be more frequent, particularly along major thoroughfares leading to provincial destinations.
As part of preparations for the New Year celebration, police units are coordinating with local government authorities on designated firecracker zones. The PNP said it will strictly monitor the sale of illegal pyrotechnics and enforce penalties on those who violate safety regulations.
Nartatez also reminded gun owners to uphold responsible firearm handling.
In tourist areas such as Baguio, Boracay, Siargao, Tagaytay and Davao City, local police units have strengthened coordination with resort operators and local tourism offices to support visitor safety.
Nartatez also expressed gratitude to the men and women of the PNP who will spend Christmas on duty. (PNA)