Policemen heightened security in malls and other business establishments, after the jewelry heist at an SM-North Edsa mall by the so-called “Martilyo” gang in Quezon City, at about 7 p.m. Sunday.

Office personnel will render two hours duty scheme in the morning, and another two hours in the afternoon, at all malls and commercial establishments in the city, Senior Supt. Edgardo Ordaniel, acting city director of the Bacolod City Police Office said yesterday.

He said policemen were also deployed in churches yesterday at the start of the Misa de Gallo, the Catholic mass celebrated early every morning, for nine days before Christmas.

An all-out war against any illegal activities especially cockfighting is also being intensified by the police this Yuletide season, he said.

Three-day special operating permits are being granted to organizers of barangay fiesta cockfighting, but no permits are given to those having cockfighting in subdivisions, Ordaniel said.

Those who engage in illegal cockfighting will be nabbed by the police, he said.

Meanwhile, the BCPO cancelled its Christmas party, and will instead have a thanksgiving activity with the children at the Bacolod Girls Home in Brgy. Alijis in the city, next week, Ordaniel said.

He said the directive not to have a party came not only from the PNP national headquarters, but also from President Benigno Aquino III.*SGG

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