Cops told to disperse youth in cemeteries

Cebu City Police Office Director Supt. Patrocinio Comendador has ordered his men to disperse groups of youths congregating near or within the cemeteries.

Comendador said he issued this order to all station chiefs and beat patrols as these youths may be fraternities or gangs.

He also told his policemen to be wary of the groups outside the cemeteries.

“Because they are not allowed to drink inside the cemetery, most probably they will gather outside and in the streets, so they should also be disbanded,” Comendador said.

Policemen will also stop and apprehend those playing, participating and betting on illegal cockfights or “tigbakay.”

He said it is customary for Filipinos to have tigbakay during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day but there is an order to arrest them if they do not have a permit from the local government unit.

Comendador will be roving around the city cemeteries with the motorcycle teams.

All PNP units are on heightened alert and no policemen are allowed to file a leave.

The biggest public cemeteries in Cebu City are in Calamba and Carreta while the biggest private cemeteries are the Queen City Gardens and Cempark. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP (THE FREEMAN)