The PNP National Headquarters has released a set of operational guidelines to better ensure that minimum public health standards and peace and order are maintained especially in tourist destinations or places of worship.
The months of April and May are marked with the observance of the Lenten Season, a commemoration of the national holidays and celebration of fiestas and other related gatherings. It is also expected that visitors, both local and foreign, will troop to various tourist spots during the summer break, the PNP said in a statement.
The PNP anticipates a larger crowd this year since many tourism sites have started reopening after two years of hiatus due to strict quarantine restrictions caused by the pandemic.
“We are alerting all police units and stations to strictly adhere to our guidelines so we can avoid the resurgence of Covid cases and deter crimes from happening,” PNP Chief General Dionardo Carlos said.
All police units and stations are asked to start coordinating with community-based volunteers and force multipliers to be deployed whenever there is a significant activity.
Police authorities are also tasked to work hand-in-hand with the Department of Tourism (DOT) or their counterparts in the localities to produce and distribute safety tips that can serve as guides for tourists.
Regular inspection of tourist sites is also a must alongside the conduct of mobile patrols and implementation of maximum police visibility in places of convergence and vital installations such as the passenger terminals.
Each police station assigned in the local government units (LGUs) must also activate their tourist police to focus on specific complaints so immediate action can be taken.
All establishments and other tourist-related businesses are also reminded to continue practicing the health protocol and to have their system of guest monitoring.
"If prohibitions like the curfew and liquor ban are still in effect in areas where they belong, then they are obliged to adhere,” Carlos said.