Massive Police Deployment for Holy Week Security in Central Luzon
The Police Regional Office 3 (PRO-3) has initiated a significant security operation for the Holy Week period, deploying over 13,000 personnel across Central Luzon. This substantial increase in police presence aims to ensure public safety as thousands of travelers, pilgrims, and devotees gather throughout the region.
Strategic Security Enhancement
PRO-3 Director Brigadier General Jess Mendez announced the expanded deployment, emphasizing that the police force has been scaled up from an initial 2,000 personnel to more than 13,000 to match the growing number of people in public spaces. "From our initial 2,000 personnel, we scaled up to more than 13,000 to ensure that our presence is felt where it matters most," Mendez stated in a news release.
He further explained, "As people gather in the streets, churches, and other places of worship, we are also strengthening our forces for their safety." This deployment marks a major escalation from the original 2,000 officers assigned for the SUMVAC (Summer Vacation) 2026 period, when numerous visitors are expected at churches, destinations, and transport hubs.
Full Alert Status and Operational Measures
Starting March 30, the regional police office will be placed under full alert status to maximize police visibility. Authorities will conduct thorough inspections and assess personnel preparedness to ensure effective operations. Police visibility has been intensified through:
- Increased foot and mobile patrols
- Establishment of assistance desks in churches, transport terminals, highways, and other convergence areas
- Deployment of road safety marshals to manage traffic flow
These measures are designed to provide comprehensive security coverage during the busy Holy Week period.
Separate Law Enforcement Operations
In related law enforcement activities, police operatives conducted separate operations in Nueva Ecija and Bataan over the weekend, resulting in multiple arrests and confiscations.
In Nueva Ecija, three individuals were arrested by the Cuyapo Municipal Police Station during a mobile patrol and Oplan Sita (questioning) operation around 12:05 a.m. on Saturday along the Cuyapo–Talugtug Road in Barangay Columbitin. Police officers discovered boxes of cigarettes in plain view inside a parked vehicle, and the driver failed to present legal documents for transporting the items.
Recovered from the vehicle were 30 master cases of Modern Light cigarettes with an estimated street value of PHP690,000.
In Orani, Bataan, a high-value drug suspect was arrested in a buy-bust operation around 9:45 p.m. on Friday in Barangay Doña. The suspect sold 54 grams of suspected shabu to an undercover agent, with a standard drug price of PHP367,200.
These operations demonstrate the police's commitment to maintaining law and order beyond the Holy Week security measures, addressing both smuggling and drug-related crimes in the region.
