'UNDAS' PREPS. The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday (Oct. 31, 2023) said it has established some 4,866 police assistance desks in public cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and catacombs around the country. Around 27,161 police personnel are also on duty to secure the annual observance of All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2). (Photo courtesy of NCRPO)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it has established some 4,866 police assistance desks (PADs) in all public cemeteries, memorial parks, columbaria, and catacombs around the country.
PNP Information chief and spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said that more or less 27,161 police personnel are also on duty to secure the annual observance of All Saints' Day (Nov. 1) and All Souls’ Day (Nov. 2).
“Yung sa Undas ay magpapakalat tayo ng more or less 27,161 at kasama na sa deployment diyan yung mga police assistance desk na inestablish natin as early as over the weekend, nasa around 4,866 PADS (During 'Undas', we will deploy more or less 27,161 and the deployment includes the police assistance desks that we established as early as over the weekend, around 4,866 PADS),” Fajardo told reporters in a press briefing held at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
“Since tayo ay nakafocus doon sa ating deployment nung election ay nagpapasalamat tayo doon sa mga mahigit 22,000 na force multipliers natin na pumuno doon sa kakulangan natin na bilang para bantayan yung mga sementeryo, memorial parks at mga major thoroughfares, including yung mga transportation hubs para kahit paano ay meron tayong mga additional na tulong pati na rin yung mga tourist spots ay binantayan natin dahil alam natin yung mga ganitong long weekends (Since we were focused on our deployment during the election, we are grateful to our more than 22,000 force multipliers who filled in our lack of numbers to guard the cemeteries, memorial parks and major thoroughfares including the transportation hubs. That way, we have additional help to guard tourist spots because of the long weekend),” she added.
Fajardo said the police remained in full alert status since BSKE and until All Souls’ Day, and extending the alert status until Christmas, depending on the recommendations of field commanders.
“The regional directors have the discretion to assess depending on the prevailing situation among them. They could downgrade it to heighten or normal alert level. But until now, we still have the 'Undas' and then the yuletide season, so definitely the PNP will remain its heightened alert status,” she said in Filipino.
Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it will deploy 14,022 policemen in 127 cemeteries in Metro Manila for the observance of "Undas".
Metro Manila top cop Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force is ready to patrol and monitor their area of responsibility to ensure peace and order for the aforementioned occasion.
He added there are 2,990 contingents from the augmentation unit, which includes the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Force Multipliers.
Nartatez, together with other NCRPO officers, conducted “Oplan Kaluluwa” or cemetery visit on Tuesday in five of the biggest cemeteries in Metro Manila. This includes La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan; Manila North Cemetery in Santa Cruz, Manila; San Juan Cemetery in Greenhills, San Juan; Loyola Memorial Park in Parañaque City; and Bagbag Public Cemetery in Novaliches, Quezon City.
“Pinapaalalahanan ko ang ating mga kababayan na huwag magdala ng mga pinagbabawal na bagay sa loob ng sementeryo gaya ng alak, matatalas na bagay, malalakas na patugtog, paputok, gamit pangsugal at iba pang kontrabando upang hindi na kayo maabala pa sa inyong pagbisita sa inyong mga yumaong mahal sa buhay. Sundin natin ang mga alituntuning inilatag ng ating pamahalaan upang wala tayong maging problema (I would like to remind our citizens not to bring prohibited items inside the cemetery such as liquor, sharp objects, loud music, fireworks, gambling paraphernalia and other contraband so that you will not be delayed in your visit to your departed loved ones. Let us follow the rules laid down by our government so we won't encounter any problems)," Nartatez said in a separate statement.
He also conducted inspection of terminal hubs and other places of convergence where Metro Manila residents are expected to flock such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals, Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX), Victory Liner, and Five Star Terminals in Quezon City.
Nartatez also said that to maintain peace and order and guarantee that no one would disregard the established rules before, during, and after "Undas", the deployed personnel will keep the sites under guard until Nov. 3. (PNA)
