A total of 753 police personnel will be deployed in Negros Occidental to ensure the safety of Covid-19 mass vaccination, regional police spokesperson, Lt. Col. Joem Malong, said yesterday.
Malong said the policemen will provide security to personnel of the Department of Health and rural health units of local government units involved in the mass vaccination rollout.
Thirty-five police personnel are also up for mobilization in Bacolod City.
Malong said that the deployed personnel will act as convoy and area security during the movement of the vaccines, standby support forces, and quick response teams.
The Communist Party of the Philippines, through its chief information officer, Marco Valbuena, issued a statement giving assurance to the public that a “humanitarian corridor” will be provided for the safe and unimpeded passage of Covid-19 vaccines.
But Valbuena urged that the rollout of the vaccines, especially in areas of armed conflict, be undertaken by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Philippine Red Cross.
He also suggested that non-Red Cross vehicles that will be used to transport the vaccines be clearly marked with a red cross over a white background.
The Police Regional Office 6 is mobilizing 2,678 police personnel to maintain peace and order during the mass vaccination in Western Visayas.
Malong also said the PNP Aviation Security Unit 6 will augment the PRO 6 with 54 personnel and four from the Regional Maritime Unit 6.*
