The Police Regional Office (PRO-6) will deploy more than 2,600 personnel to secure those who will administer the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) inoculation in the region.

They will be supported by 54 personnel of the Aviation Security Unit and four from the Regional Maritime Unit in Western Visayas.

These personnel will act as convoy and area security during the movement of the vaccines, standby support forces, and quick response teams, said PRO-6 director Brig. Gen. Rolando F. Miranda in a statement released on Monday, Feb. 15.

“We will work hand in hand with the Department of Health and the local government unit in the successful and safe implementation of Covid-19 vaccination,” Miranda said.

The over 2,000 police personnel include those from Aklan with 205; Antique, 296; Capiz, 268; Guimaras, 84; Iloilo, 833; Negros Occidental, 753; Iloilo City, 146; and Bacolod City, 35.

Last month, the Department of Health Western Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH WV CHD) conducted the training for vaccine administration in the region.

In a previous interview with Dr. Jane Juanico, infections disease cluster head of the DOH WV CHD, said they were consolidating their available manpower because they would be mobilizing as many people as possible.

The police, apart from the provision of security, would also be tapped to help in the information dissemination, she added.

Already, the cities of Iloilo and Bacolod as well as Iloilo province have signed a tripartite agreement for the advance purchase of vaccines.

This city also conducted a simulation exercise on how to go through with the vaccine administration once they are available. (PNA)