MANILA, Philippines — Beginning Dec. 15, police officers will not be allowed to go on vacation as the Philippine National Police seeks to maximize the number of PNP personnel on the streets to ensure public safety during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
PNP spokesman Col. Jean Fajardo on Wednesday said all applications for vacation leave are canceled until Jan. 10, 2023.
“Wala na pong puwedeng mag-leave effective Dec. 15 to ensure maximum police presence in public areas,” Fajardo told reporters.
She said the PNP would apply the same security template implemented during the observance of Undas wherein 85 percent or 192,950 of the 227,000 police officers across the country were deployed on the streets.
“Even those doing administrative duties are required to render patrol duties,” Fajardo said.
Police officers going to their home provinces during the holidays are required to report for duty to the nearest station.
The PNP has started the deployment of police personnel in malls and other public areas.
Fajardo reminded the public to take extra precautions as criminals are expected to intensify their nefarious activities during the Yuletide season.