Revelers taking part in the Chinese New Year celebrations in the Manila district of Binondo. (File photo by NI脩O JESUS ORBETA / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Over 1,400 police officers are being deployed within Manila in line with the country鈥檚 observance of Chinese New Year on Feb. 10, the (PNP) said on Tuesday.
PNP-Public Information Office data shows the national police had positioned 1,457 personnel as early as Jan. 26.
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Of the figure, 92 are police commissioned officers (PCO), while 1,365 are non-commissioned officers (PNCO). Under the present system, the ranks of PCO start at Inspector, the equivalent of 2nd Lieutenant in the military up to Director General, the equivalent of a 4-star General, while PNCOs, start at Police Officer 1 up to SPO4 (Master Sergeant).
PNP personnel are securing three events: the Meisic Street Food Fair 鈥� which will last until Feb. 15, the Chinese New Year鈥檚 kick-off ceremony last February 1, and the operation of Mercato Food Stalls in Intramuros last Feb. 2.
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To ensure public safety, more police officers will be deployed during the Lucky Chinatown Mall concert, the Binondo-Intramuros fireworks display on Feb. 9, and the Solidarity Parade on February 10. They will also be dispatched in areas covered by Ongpin Street from Feb. 9 to 11.
As many as 208 police officers will conduct checkpoints at various parts of Manila on Feb. 8, while 102 personnel will be on standby from Feb. 9 to 11 to ensure public safety.