MANILA -- Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde on Wednesday inspected preparations in bus terminals and cemeteries to ensure security, a day before the nation's observance of All Saints' and All Souls' days.
Albayalde, together with National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) head, Police Dir. Guillermo Eleazar, inspected the Araneta Center Bus Terminal to check on security measures being implemented.
Albayalde said so far, no untoward incident was reported nationwide except for a male passenger who was arrested at the bus terminal in Cubao after he was found to have 16 pieces of M-16 bullets in his bag.
Eleazar identified the passenger as Bryan Bagsala, who is currently detained at Quezon City Police District Station 7 and will be facing illegal possession of ammunitions.
Eleazar said Bagsala's alibi was that he got the bullets from the kids and will use them as “anting-anting" (amulet).
Bagsala was arrested after he passed through a metal detector which then produced a loud sound, prompting security personnel to frisk him and inspect his bag.
Albayalde said Bagsala is now being investigated to verify his alibi but noted that the latter should know that it was illegal, and he needs to surrender it immediately at the nearest police station.
“So far wala tayo nakuhang threat whatsoever although sabi ko nga with or without any threat kailangan natin bantayan yung ating mga kababayan (We have not monitored any threat (on the celebration of 'Undas'). Although, just like what I said, we will be always on our toes, to provide security to the public)” he said.
Earlier, Albayalde said they will be fielding 32,092 police personnel from the Police Regional Offices and National Support Units to perform security and public safety duties this weekend, as an estimated 14.6 million Filipinos are expected to troop to 4,677 public cemeteries and memorial parks, and 76 columbaria across the country.
The PNP chief said the Police Regional Offices and National Support Units will mobilize 86,977 force multipliers from Local Government Units, civic action groups, civilian volunteer organizations and motoring clubs to man Police Assistance Centers (PAC) in providing road assistance and public safety services.
Albayalde also said the security coverage will be implemented in all 83 airports and domestic air terminals, 333 seaports, 808 inland bus terminals, and 59 train stations in different parts of the country to assist travelers.
“The key element in this security operation is police visibility, considering both its crime deterrent and reassuring effects on the public,” he said.
The PNP chief said police forces were placed under the highest security alert status as the move is to ensure the availability of the more than 160,000 uniformed police personnel in securing cemeteries, ports, terminals and major thoroughfares.
“We are on full alert status starting 6:30 a.m. (Wednesday). Our personnel will be deployed in areas where the people are expected to converge,” said Albayalde.
The official said he will also tap some 2,000 policemen doing deskwork at Camp Crame to augment the lawmen conducting beat patrols, especially in malls and residential areas.
“We will be on full alert status until Monday when those who went to the provinces come back to Metro Manila and other urban areas where they work or study,” Albayalde said.
“This also means that our uniformed personnel will stay in their posts until Monday,” he added.
On Wednesday afternoon, Albayalde and Eleazar also inspected the Manila North Cemetery, the biggest of around 80 cemeteries in Metro Manila.
"The deployment of NCRPO personnel will serve as augmentation in the conduct of preventive patrol operations, anti-criminality and anti-drug campaigns,” Eleazar said.
Police assistance desks (PADs) were set up to guide commuters and prevent criminals from taking advantage of the crowd, the NCRPO chief said. (PNA)
