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CALAMBA CITY: The Police Regional Office in Calabarzon (PRO4A) has managed to muster an 18,135-strong contingent to enforce law and order in the five-province region during the Holy Week and the rest of the summer vacation. Brig. Gen. Paul Kenneth Lucas, chief of PRO4A, told reporters on Wednesday that his office has also deputized members of civil society to augment police personnel in providing security across provincial jurisdictions. He disclosed that the region's augmented security force is composed of 7,382 police officers, 803 personnel from other government agencies, and 8,851 barangay "tanod" (watchmen) and the rest are members of various advocacy groups. Lucas explained that security personnel will be 'strategically stationed across critical areas such as tourist destinations, transportation hubs, religious sites, and residential neighborhoods to deter criminal activities and respond promptly to any incidents.' The inclusion of neighborhood watchmen and civil society in the massive undertaking o f maintaining peace throughout the five provinces seeks to enhance vigilance, maintain peace, and prevent potential security threats during this critical period, he said. "The safety of our citizens and visitors are our top priorities, especially during significant occasions like Holy Week and summer vacation. Through the concerted efforts of the PNP (Philippine National Police), other government agencies, and our community partners, we aim to create a secure environment where everyone can enjoy the festivities with peace of mind,' he emphasized. Lucas also encouraged residents and tourists to cooperate with authorities, by remaining vigilant and reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the designated hotlines and Police Assistance Desk (PAD). He mentioned that an inter-agency coordination was recently established among government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Transportation, the Department of Tourism, the Bureau of Fire Prote ction, and the local government units to ensure a cohesive response to security challenges. Meanwhile, representatives of several government law enforcement and regulatory agencies on Wednesday afternoon jointly inspected the Turbina Integrated Terminal in Calamba City to ensure that travelers can enjoy safe travel to their respective destinations. In an interview, Lt. Col. Milany Martirez, acting chief of the Calamba City Police Station, said that while each agency focused on their specific areas of concern, the activity was underpinned by the common objective of mitigating the possibility of accidents. Aside from the city police, personnel belonging to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Public Order And Safety Office (POSO) took part in the surprise inspection. 'The terminal inspection of various public transport companies is a way of preempting any incidents upon travel to its destination by i nspecting its franchise regulation, proper vehicle maintenance, road safety condition and most importantly with its human resource,' Martirez said. Spot drug testing was also conducted on drivers, conductors and other transport workers in the said transport terminal. 'This (spot drug test) is a preemptive measure to ensure that they are free from any health distractions during the travel. If found positive, they will undergo confirmatory test(s) and interventions,' Martirez said. The Turbina Integrated Terminal is a major transportation hub for passengers and cargo to and from Quezon province all the way to Visayas and Mindanao passing by Bicol region or Batangas province. Source: Philippines News Agency