PNP heightens security for energy sites after energy emergency declaration

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has heightened security measures in key energy facilities following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration of a national energy emergency amid rising fuel prices.

On Wednesday, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said their personnel are on alert to prevent any disruption or exploitation of the situation.

“We in the PNP will focus on securing critical energy facilities and in maintaining peace and order. Additional personnel will be deployed in key areas to prevent any disruption or exploitation of the situation,” Nartatez said in a statement.

Substations, transmission lines, and power plants need to be protected during power shortages, according to the PNP chief.

“We will maintain a strong presence in gas stations and energy plants to ensure that there will be no supply disruption,” he said.

Nartatez said contingency measures are in place to ensure uninterrupted police operations despite possible power interruptions.

“We have contingency measures in place, including backup power systems in stations. Tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo ng pulisya—hindi tayo titigil kahit may power interruptions. Our frontlines will remain 24/7. Kahit may energy emergency, hindi titigil ang serbisyo ng PNP,” he said.

(Police service continues—we will not stop even if there are power interruptions.)

Marcos on Tuesday declared a state of national energy emergency through Executive Order No. 110, which introduced the Unified Package for Livelihoods, Industry, Food, and Transport (UPLIFT) to assist sectors affected by rising fuel costs and global supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East.

The order activates a whole-of-government response aimed at ensuring energy supply stability, protecting vulnerable sectors, and maintaining public services, according to the PNP.

“Pinapaalalahanan natin ang publiko na maging alerto lalo na sa gabi kung may brownout. Siguraduhin na laging naka-lock ang mga pinto at huwag mag-iwan ng kandila nang walang bantay. Magsasagawa rin tayo ng increased night patrols sa mga apektadong komunidad para iwasan ang anumang krimen,” Nartatez said.

(We remind the public to be alert especially at night if there is a brownout. Make sure that doors are always locked and do not leave candles unattended. We will also conduct increased night patrols in affected communities to prevent any crime.) — RSJ, GMA Integrated News