KALIBO, Aklan (PIA) — Security forces in Aklan assure that the celebration of holidays in the province is safe and peaceful.
In a press conference organized by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Aklan, in partnership with the Aklan Public Information Officers Association (APIOA), and speakers from the Aklan Police Provincial Office (APPO), the Philippine Army, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) they stated that they are well-prepared for this holiday season.
According to PCPT. Aubrey R. Ayon, Chief Public Information Officer of the Aklan PPO, they already launched the “Oplan Ligtas Paskuhan 2024” with intensified point-to-point portions and deployed numerous road marshals in the province.
“Ro raya nga pag selebrar naton it kapaskwahan ag bag-ong dag-on ,sa parte it kapulisan gina ubra namon ro tanan, indi eang maging manami ag masinadyahon ro aton selebrasyon kundi maging matahway raya ngara,” she said.
(This Christmas and New Year, on the part of the police force, we are doing the best that we can so that the celebration will not only be nice and joyful, but also peaceful.)
Participated by various Aklan media partners from radio, print, and television, Ayon emphasized that their office intensified strategic checkpoints throughout the whole province.
“Mas strikto makaron ro mga kapulisan sa road safety ngani ginapandaman ro mga motorista nga maging responsable sa daeanon,” she said.
(The PNP is much stricter now on road safety, that is why we are reminding motorists to be responsible.)
She stated that during the simbang gabi, there were twenty-two active police assistance desks providing services.
“Sa mga remote areas naton sa mga kabarangayan naga baktas ro atong mga pumoeoyo kaya ruyon hay kaibahan sa aton gina rondahan it atong mga kapulisan,” Ayon added.
(In our remote areas in the barangays where walking is mostly the mode of going to their destinations, our police are patrolling.)
Meanwhile, in a statement made by Captain Dutch Herald Magon of the 12IB Philippine Army, the Province remains insurgency-free.
“Bagamat ang province of Aklan ay insurgency- free pa rin, wala pong tigil sa pagagalugad sa mga kabundukan natin,” Magon told reporters.
(Even though the province of Aklan is insurgency-free, we do not stop exploring the mountains.)
“We are trying to neutralize the remaining remnants of the few members left,” he said.
He also reiterated that they are coordinating with PNP for a joint checkpoint.
“Wala na po sila ditong mass base kaya nareretain po natin na ang province of Aklan ay still insurgency-free,” he noted adding that the public need not be worried and feared for any possibilities of resurgence.
(They do not have a mass base here anymore which is why the province of Aklan is still insurgency-free.)
Meanwhile, LDRRMO Galo Ibardolaza of the PDRRMO stated that their office is prepared and well-trained to respond to any incidents that might occur.
“Regarding preparations for all hazards, including our 17 MDRRMOs, we are all operating 24/7 and we are all trained,” he said.
“Gabie man ron o adlaw man hay makaresponde gid sa kung nano man nga klase nga hazard. Haom kita karon, we have equipment, and personnel. Kaya we are ready to respond,” Ibardolaza emphasized.
(Daytime or nighttime, we are ready to respond to all types of hazards. We are ready for that, we have equipment and personnel.)
Further, SFO2 Leo Jizmundo, Acting Municipal Marshall of BFP Nabas, stated that they’ve been conducting fire safety inspections.
“Ro aton nga taeatapan it BFP halin pa ku December 1, gin activate eon naton ro Paalala Iwas Paputok, meaning naka full red-alert status eon kita,” he said.
(Since December 1, BFP has activated Paalala Iwas Paputok, which means that we are in full red-alert status.)
Jizmundo also said that their Rekorida is still ongoing and has been disseminating leaflets to spread awareness of the precautionary measures.
“Our firefighters are doing house-to-house campaigns to remind residents of our intention to have fire-safe celebrations,” he stressed.
All security plans are in place as part of their commitment to provide protection to Aklanons for a safe and peaceful celebration of holidays in the province. (AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan with reports from Chantal Jade V. Tolores, GIP-DOLE)
