PNP: No untoward incident on Christmas Day; deployment beefed up for New Year

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said no untoward incident was reported during  Christmas Day on Sunday. More police personnel meanwhile will be deployed in terminals and markets to secure the New Year.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang  Balita, PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardo said the celebration of Christmas Day went generally peaceful despite the crowded transportation hubs and markets.

“Masaya po tayong ibahagi na wala naman po tayong na-monitor na any untoward incident at naging mapayapa naman po 'yung ating Kapaskuhan. At 'yan din po 'yung inaasahan natin sa pagpasok ng Bagong Taon,” she said.

(We are glad to share that the Christmas Day was peaceful and there was no untoward incident reported. We are expecting the same for the New Year.)

To ensure security during the New Year revelry, Fajardo said the PNP will deploy more personnel in major transportation hubs, markets, and malls.

“Dadagdagan po natin 'yung mga PNP personnel nating naka-deploy diyan  kasama na po 'yung ating mga explosive and narcotics detection dogs para makatulong sa ating pagbabantay,” she said.

(We will increase the number of PNP personnel deployed, along with our explosive and narcotics detection dogs that will help us monitor the situation.)

Illegal firecrackers

Meanwhile, Fajardo said at least 17 people were arrested in connection with illegal firecrackers. According to her, most of them were selling illegal firecrackers online.

The PNP is continuing its operations against illegal firecrackers, she added.

Fajardo said the PNP will also supervise the compliance of residents with the local regulations in connection with the use of videoke.

According to Fajardo, some local government units have their own ordinances for the use of videoke. For example, some LGUs only allowed videoke until 12 midnight.

She encouraged concerned citizens to report to the police the individuals who are disregarding videoke limits so they can call them out. —KG, GMA Integrated News