PNP on full alert for Undas

Starting today, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will be on full alert as millions of Filipinos are expected to flock to cemeteries to visit their dead during All Saints’ Day.

PNP spokesman Grig. Gen. Bernard Banac said a total of 35,618 policemen would be deployed to secure cemetery goers during the holiday break.

Banac said the police officers would be augmented by 99,716 force multipliers that include medical, fire and rescue volunteers as well as barangay officials.

Authorities will secure seaports, airports, bus terminals as well as LRT and MRT stations and malls.

Banac said the full alert status would remain until Nov. 3, when people are expected to go back to Metro Manila.

While police have not monitored any threat to security, Banac urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspiciouslooking individuals in the streets.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Vice Admiral Joel Garcia has placed the maritime agency on red alert in anticipation of the surge of passengers at the seaports during Undas.

Garcia said PCG personnel would remain on alert until Nov. 5.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has instructed the PCG to coordinate with other agencies such as the Philippine Ports Authority, Maritime Industry Authority and Office of Transport Authority to prevent overcrowding at the ports and overloading of passengers.

Garcia said the PCG would secure 11 bridges along the Pasig River to prevent any attacks.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in coordination with Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and other local carriers are ready for the surge of passengers during All Saints’ Day.

MIAA general manager

Ed Monreal advised passengers to arrive at the airports two hours earlier to avoid inconvenience.

PADs in cemeteries

The National Capital Region Police Office will put up police assistance desks (PADs) at 119 cemeteries and columbariums in the metropolis, NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said.

Sinas said policemen would search cemetery goers for banned items such as guns, bladed weapons, alcohol, playing cards, videoke machines and loudspeakers.

The PADs would be situated some 50 meters away from the entrances of cemeteries, especially at the North and South cemeteries, Loyola Memorial Park and Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque.

In Marikina, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro ordered the police and department heads to implement security measures and traffic rerouting schemes to ensure peaceful and orderly Undas.

There are five cemeteries in the city: Loyola Memorial Park, Barangka Municipal Cemetery, Aglipay Cemetery, Holy Child Cemetery and Our Lady of the Abandoned.

To prevent traffic jams, the city government banned vendors along roads and sidewalks near the cemeteries.

Vendors will be allowed to sell their goods in designated areas, local officials said.

Traffic along roads leading to the cemeteries will be rerouted starting at 12 noon on Oct. 31 until 6 p.m. on Nov. 3.

The city government activated “Oplan Undas” task force headed by Councilor Manny Sarmiento.

The task force is composed of the local police, office of public safety and security, city health department, city disaster risk reduction and management office, Marikina Rescue 161 and Bureau of Fire Protection. –