For “Kalag-kalag” PRO-8 put on red alert status until November 3

PALO, LEYTE, Philippines — The Police Regional Office-8 yesterday declared the entire police force in Eastern Visayas under full red alert status until November 3, in observance of the Kalag-Kalag holidays (All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days on Nov. 1 and 2).

Chief Superintendent Cedric Train, officer-in-charge director of PRO-8, said the red alert meant that all policemen are now in position or on standby to secure strategic areas around the region.

The police will also augment military troops, who are tasked to secure vital government installations, while securing cemeteries where majority of the people gather for the Kalag-Kalag observance.

“Of course, Eastern Visayas is generally peaceful and without threats from the communist rebels, but PRO-8 should always be prepared and alert in security operations,” Train said, adding that a crisis action team was also activated to address political activities during Kalag-Kalag.

The Philippine National Police national headquarters had earlier ordered the deployment of 4,000 policemen to the streets for the anti-criminality campaign, but for the Kalag-Kalag red alert status, PRO-8 had to put this on hold and dispatch its men instead for the security operations.

Train also said the PRO-8 policemen were deployed to secure the airport, and ferry and bus terminals, in expectations of the influx of thousands of people coming to the region for the holidays.

“We have to be actively security-conscious because we wanted to ensure public safety and security at this time,” added Train, who assumed office as OIC director of PRO-8 since October 19. (FREEMAN)