‘Beware of fake priests roaming cemeteries’
The public was warned yesterday about fake priests who roam around cemeteries and solicit payment for prayers and the blessing of tombs during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
“Here in Manila, the priests have been strict and they have informed the public that they should not accept the services offered by fake priests,” said Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Episcopal Commission
on the Laity.
But Pabillo admitted that it is difficult for them to police this scam, especially in public cemeteries.
“If they want to pray for the dead, thank them and just give them some food,” the CBCP official added.
Since no case may be filed against these fake priests, Pabillo could only warn Catholics not to entertain them.
Pabillo said priests may carry their celebrets – the letters of authority by a bishop allowing them to celebrate mass in other dioceses – but lay ministers or seminarians, who also bless crypts, do not have the written authority.
Proactive and vigilant
Governors and mayors were urged to be proactive and vigilant during Undas.
“Undas brings everyone together, even the criminals, which is why it is imperative that local government units (LGUs) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) attached agencies such as the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) are activated and put on heightened alert,” said DILG officer-incharge Eduardo Año.
In a directive, Año urged LGUs to convene their local peace and order councils to formulate contingency plans for Undas.
“(There) is no such thing as being ‘too prepared’ because we would not know when criminals would strike,” Año said. From Page 1
DILG spokesman Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said the DILG attached agencies are on full-alert status in support of the department’s call for peaceful and safe observance of Undas.
According to Malaya, the PNP is committed to position its 30,000 police force to secure areas frequented by civilians such as malls, commuter train stations, churches and cemeteries.
BFP spokesperson Supt. Joanne Vallejo said the BFP launched Oplan Kaluluwa, placing all units of the fire bureau on full alert from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.
Vallejo said the BFP would conduct inspections of bus terminals, ports and other places of assembly as well as intensify fire-safety awareness campaign.
“Every station will also establish motorist assistance points along major roads,” Vallejo said.
Leave application by BFP personnel has been suspended to ensure that “all hands are on deck” for Undas, Vallejo said.
Deployment of troops
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), now on red alert, is deploying troops in key areas across the country on Nov. 1 and 2.
AFP chief Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. said the deployment “is in support of the Philippine National Police and the other law enforcement agencies’ security efforts in keeping Undas peaceful.”
“The AFP’s Unified Commands and the Joint Task Force National Capital Region, with our counterparts in the PNP, will augment troops to secure public facilities to include major cemeteries and other establishments in key cities,” Galvez said.
Col. Noel Detoyato, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, said the military’s three major services – Army, Air Force and Navy – have been placed on standby alert for possible security deployment.
“This is to ensure the safety and security of the people during the holidays and beyond,” Detoyato said.
The AFP has placed its units under red alert since Monday in line with its Undas security preparations.
“We call on the people to remain vigilant and be aware of their surroundings and to report any unusual individual or commotion they may witness during the holidays because safety and security is our shared responsibility,” Detoyato said.
Half-day in courts
Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio has ordered halfday work or up to noon in all courts nationwide today, in addition to the special nonworking holidays tomorrow and Friday, the Supreme Court (SC) announced yesterday.
“In order to allow court personnel to more fully observe All Saints’ Day, all courts nationwide will be on half-day work (today),” the SC public information office said.
The SC justices are currently on recess and will resume their sessions next week.