PNP chief: Cops using 2-way radios to secure Nazarene procession

To cope with the temporary cutoff of mobile phone services in areas covered by the Black Nazarene procession, the Philippine National Police is using two-way radios to coordinate its movements.

 

In a radio interview Monday noon, PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the procession has been generally peaceful so far, with police ready to secure devotees until at least midnight.

 

"Yes meron tayong two-way radios," Bartolome said in an interview on dzBB radio, when asked if they have alternative communications.

 

He said he has so far managed to communicate with field commanders.

 

Earlier dzBB reports said some police personnel at the venues of the procession in Manila had noted difficulties in communicating by mobile phones.

 

Malacañang confirmed it asked telecommunications companies to jam cell signals along the route of the procession.

 

On Sunday, President Benigno Aquino III had warned of a possible terrorist plot targeting Monday's procession, which more than seven million devotees were expected to join.

 

"Yung cell phone dini-discourage naming dalhin ng devotees kasi una, doon sa disgrasya, magagamit yan to trigger kung may plano ang ibang grupo," Bartolome said.

 

Meanwhile, Bartolome said they have enough personnel to secure devotees if their procession drags on until at least midnight.

 

"Meron tayong karelyebo riyan," he said.

 

Mobile phone snatchers beaten up

 

Meanwhile, a separate report on dzBB radio said snatchers tried to take the mobile phones of devotees but were quickly beaten up by bystanders.

 

Some 10 mobile phones were recovered as of Monday noon, the report said.

 

The Department of Health was placed on code blue, meaning enough personnel and medicines must be available at any given time. — RSJ, GMA News