‘Ligtas Sumvac’ 2025
TACLOBAN CITY – Police in Eastern Visayas have assured residents and tourists of a safe and peaceful summer following the rollout of “Ligtas SumVac” 2025, a region-wide public safety campaign.
“With the entire region under tight security coverage, Police Regional Office-8 is confident that this year’s summer activities will proceed safely and orderly, promoting both public enjoyment and trust in law enforcement,” Brigadier General Jay Cumigad, police regional director, said.
From April 1 to May 31, over 2,700 uniformed police officers have been deployed across the region under a comprehensive security and public safety plan aimed at managing the expected surge of holiday-goers.
“Our security forces are fully mobilized to ensure that the public can enjoy the summer season safely and peacefully,” Cumigad said. He also urged the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious individuals or activities.
The summer months coincide with national events such as Philippine Veterans Week, Araw ng Kagitingan, Labor Day, Flores de Mayo, and various local town fiestas and family reunions.
An influx of tourists and returning overseas Filipinos is also expected to increase foot traffic across public spaces.
This year, a midterm election will also be held on May 12.
In addition to police personnel, 221 augmentation forces from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have been deployed. Around 466 volunteers from groups like the Philippine Red Cross and Rotary Clubs are also participating in the initiative.
Police operations are concentrated in areas with high public activity including transport terminals, business districts, churches, major roads, and tourist sites. Assistance desks have been set up in key areas, and both visible and covert security measures are in place to prevent crime, particularly from pickpockets and threat groups targeting crowds.
(RONALD O. REYES)
