MANILA — The Philippines has officially entered the “ber” months, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) is responding with tighter security measures as shopping, travel, gatherings and other activities are expected to increase ahead of the Christmas season.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered police units nationwide to strengthen visibility, patrols and monitoring in places expected to draw large crowds, including malls and other commercial establishments, transport terminals, markets and public areas.
The directive comes as Sept. 1 traditionally marks the beginning of the Philippines’ long Christmas season, bringing increased consumer activity, cash transactions, travel and public gatherings.
More police in crowded and crime-prone areas
Nartatez instructed regional and city police offices to increase their presence not only in major commercial areas but also in crime-prone communities and other places where large numbers of people are expected to converge.
The PNP says the objective is preventive: deter crimes before they happen and ensure that Filipinos can move around safely during the holiday period.
Police units have also been directed to coordinate with local governments and other stakeholders to identify and respond to emerging security concerns.
Theft, robbery and scams among major concerns
The PNP is warning Filipinos to be particularly careful with their belongings as shopping and travel activity increases.
Authorities are urging the public to remain alert against theft, robbery and scams, secure valuables and avoid sharing their real-time locations online.
Police also advise people to immediately report suspicious activity to authorities.
The warning comes at a time when holiday shopping and travel can create more opportunities for criminals to target crowded areas, according to police officials.
Online scammers are also in the PNP’s sights
The security push isn’t limited to streets, malls and transport hubs.
The PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) is also increasing its monitoring of online platforms as the holiday shopping season gets underway.
Philstar reported that ACG director Maj. Gen. Wilson Asueta ordered cybercrime investigators to intensify online patrols against scammers. From January through July 31, the ACG recorded 323 operations involving the illegal sale of financial accounts and online swindling, highlighting the growing importance of online crime prevention.
SunStar separately reported that the ACG recorded 5,231 cybercrime cases from Jan. 1 to July 31, including 576 online-selling scam cases.
That makes online shopping one of the areas consumers will need to watch closely as Christmas purchases accelerate.
Police visibility already part of broader security strategy
The latest order is also consistent with the PNP’s wider Safer Cities approach, which has focused on strengthening police visibility in schools, transport hubs, business districts, tourist areas and other places of convergence.
The Philippine Information Agency previously reported that police deployments have been intensified in locations such as airports, seaports, bus terminals, MRT/LRT stations, malls and high-traffic areas.
The PNP has also reported a 20.6% decline in eight focus crimes during the April 6–July 4 period compared with the preceding three months, which police attributed partly to stronger visibility and intensified enforcement.
Flooding adds another security challenge
The heightened security directive comes as the country is simultaneously dealing with the effects of severe monsoon rains and recent tropical cyclones.
Police have also tightened security around flood-control and pumping facilities in Metro Manila following reports that equipment such as cables, valves and manhole covers had been stolen, potentially disrupting flood-mitigation operations. Nartatez ordered police units to coordinate with local governments and facility operators and investigate those responsible.
This adds another layer to the PNP’s workload as the country enters the traditionally busy final months of the year.
What Filipinos should watch out for
With crowds expected to grow in the coming months, authorities are encouraging the public to take simple precautions:
- Keep wallets, phones and other valuables secure.
- Be cautious when carrying large amounts of cash.
- Avoid posting real-time locations publicly.
- Be careful with unfamiliar online sellers and holiday deals.
- Report suspicious activity immediately.
- Remain particularly alert in crowded terminals, markets and commercial areas.
The PNP’s message is not to avoid celebrating the Christmas season — but to remain vigilant while doing so.
The bigger warning
The arrival of the “ber” months means the Philippines’ Christmas countdown has officially begun. But it also brings a predictable surge in shopping, travel, cash transactions and online purchases — exactly the conditions criminals can exploit.
With police increasing their presence on the streets while cybercrime investigators patrol the internet, authorities are preparing for a holiday season where security threats could emerge both in crowded public spaces and behind a smartphone screen.
And as Christmas activity accelerates in the coming weeks, the question is whether heightened police visibility will be enough to stay ahead of the next wave of holiday-season crimes.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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