ACTING on instructions from Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) has intensified its anti-criminality campaign while maximizing their presence in highways and other major thoroughfares in the country to protect the public this Holy Weeks and the rest of the summer period, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

PNP-HPG director, Brigadier Gen. Clifford B. Gairanod said that apart from helping secure roads leading to churches, tourist destinations and other vacation spots nationwide, they are also fielding men to help motorists in distress and arrest the presence of car thieves, hijackers and highway robbers.

“We are helping to ensure a peaceful Lenten Season and summer vacation under our Oplan: Ligtas Sumvac (Summer Vacation) 2023 in which PNP-HPG motorist assistance stations will help the public as they go to their destinations,” said the official.

The PNP-HPG’s presence is a known major deterrent against criminals and other lawless elements that may take advantage of the period to hit targets. Yearly, HPG marshals help secure major thoroughfares in the country with the assistance of their ‘force multipliers’ and local government units.

Brig. Gen. Gairanod also urged the public to keep in mind several safety tips for an accident-free and crime-free Holy Week.

He said that the public must keep in mind the need for them to secure their homes once they decide to go to the provinces since burglars are usually active during the period.

Police have advised the public to designate a trustworthy neighbor or a village official to watch their homes if it will be left unattended for a long period. Officials also emphasized the need to unplug appliances to prevent fire.

BLOWBAGETS

Brig. Gen. Gairanod also called on the citizenry to follow the simple BLOWBAGETS tip while going to the provinces. It means that all drivers must ensure that they check their Brakes, Lights, Oil, Water, Batteries, Air, Gas, Engine, Tires and Self each time they go for a long ride.

As an added measure, the PNP-HPG director also called on vehicle owners to follow the following anti-carnapping tips: always lock car doors and windows while traveling or while parked; always park in a safe and secure place; avoid leaving valuables inside the vehicle to preclude temptation; avoid waiting inside the vehicle while parked; avoid making stops in isolated places; avoid stopping for strangers.

Gen. Azurin has cited the PNP-HPG’s accomplishments against car thieves, highway robbers and hijackers but asked members of the unit to never rest on their laurels and see to it that they continue their unrelenting drive versus criminals and strictly enforce traffic laws nationwide to keep the streets and the public safe 24/7.

The top cop issued the challenge to the so-called ‘Guardians of the Highways’ amid the unit’s successful enforcement of land transportation laws aimed at keeping the streets safe since July last year.

Since July 2022, the PNP-HPG has impounded more than 20,000 motor vehicles for violation of Republic Act 4136 or the Land Transportation and Traffic Code and other traffic violations over the past four months.

The PNP-HPG also arrested over 300 persons involved in car theft and recovered more than 200 stolen motor vehicles .

“Let us step up and intensify more the enforcement of RA 4136 especially in busy highways in the country, to include areas which have been a regular scene of accidents to ensure road safety and security of general public. Ang aming patuloy na panawagan sa ating mga motorista na maging masunurin sa batas trapiko upang maiwasan ang abala at aksidente sa daan lalo na ngayong Mahal na Araw at buwan ng tag-init, ” Gen. Azurin said.

Gen. Azurin commended the PNP-HPG for making a huge impact in their campaign against car theft, hijacking and highway robbery since last year.

Apart from that, the PNP-HPG has also intensified its enforcement of the country’s traffic code to ensure the safety of motorists and the rest of the general public.

Being the so-called ‘Guardians of the Highway,’ officers of the PNP-HPG are bent on impounding vehicles of erring motorists including those that are blatantly disregarding government rules and regulations.