Some 190,000 cops to be deployed during Christmas season — PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said around 190,000 of its personnel would be deployed to ensure public safety during the Christmas season.

“It will comprise more or less 190,000 sapagkat ang ating strength as of now is 227,000,” PNP public information office chief Police Colonel Redrico Maranan said at a televised public briefing.

(It will comprise more or less 190,000 because our strength as of now is 227,000.)

According to Maranan, the PNP will put into action its Oplan Ligtas Pasko, which calls for increasing police visibility and patrols in places where people are likely to congregate, including churches, malls, bazaars, and concert venues, among others.

The PNP will also set up police assistance desks.

Earlier, the PNP said focus crimes—murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, robbery, theft, and carnapping—were lower in the first 11 months of 2022 compared to the same period in the last three years.

Maranan attributed the decline in focus crimes to police visibility. — Joviland Rita/VBL, GMA Integrated News