TACLOBAN CITY – The Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) mobilized nearly 400 police personnel to ensure the safe, orderly, and peaceful observance of the 81st Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary in Palo, Leyte, on Monday, October 20, 2025.
Under the leadership of PBGen. Jason Capoy, PRO-8 placed all units under full alert status from 5:00 a.m. on October 19 to 5:00 a.m. on October 21 to guarantee maximum operational readiness and quick response to any incidents throughout the commemoration.
The deployment, supervised by the Regional Task Group “Paggunita 2025” led by the Deputy Regional Director for Operations, covered major venues and routes in Palo and nearby areas. Police personnel were assigned to manage crowd control, traffic flow, and perimeter security, particularly around the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park, where dignitaries, war veterans, and thousands of visitors gathered for the event.
PRO-8 coordinated closely with the Philippine Army, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Philippine Coast Guard (CGDEV), Palo Traffic Unit, local government units, and civic organizations to ensure seamless security and public safety operations.
PBGen. Capoy lauded the dedication of the deployed personnel and the cooperation of the public, saying the successful and peaceful celebration reflected the collective discipline and unity of the people of Eastern Visayas.
“The peaceful and meaningful observance of the Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary reflects the unity and discipline of our people. We thank everyone who followed the safety protocols and cooperated with our security forces to honor this historic occasion,” Capoy said.
The Leyte Gulf Landings Anniversary commemorates General Douglas MacArthur’s return on October 20, 1944, which marked the beginning of the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese occupation during World War II.
(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)
