Ahead of ‘Kalag-Kalag’ 2022: Cops on full alert

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office is now on full alert status in preparation for the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days next week.

Ahead of the observance, CCPO Director Col. Ireneo Dalogdog and Mayor Michael Rama inspected some cemeteries in the city yesterday to ensure that these places are ready for the influx of people come “Kalag-Kalag.”

They first visited the Calamba cemetery which is the biggest in the city.

After the inspection, Rama told reporters that one of his instructions to the police is to maintain regular entry and exit points within cemeteries. This is to ensure that there will only be one flow of people coming and out of these areas.

Rama said that he will also make sure that there are no vendors inside cemeteries and that the sidewalks will be cleared.

The manager of Calamba cemetery yesterday said that from October 31 to November 2, the cemetery will be open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.

But Fr. Cocoy Omilla, who is in charge of the cemetery, said it is possible to extend the visitation hours at night if there are more people wanting to visit their departed loved ones.

Omilla said, however, that the cemetery will not be open 24 hours.

As usual, alcoholic beverages, sharp weapons, loud speakers and parties will not be allowed inside cemeteries.

Also yesterday, CCPO started deploying some of its police personnel to their designated assignments for the Kalag-Kalag holidays.

According to CCPO Director Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, 800 police personnel will join the Task Force Kasaligan while force multiplier from the city government will also help ensure peace and order.

Lapu-Lapu City

In Lapu-Lapu City, cemetery operators are enjoined to ensure that those visiting the cemeteries will strictly comply with the use of face masks.

This was among the contents of Executive Order No. 2022-50 issued by Mayor Junard Chan, which establish the guidelines in the observance of Kalag-Kalag 2022 in the city.

According to the EO, the owner, manager, or administrator of all public and private cemeteries and memorial parks in the city shall ensure the observance and strict compliance of the use of facemasks for all persons, who shall enter their premises, since it is expected that these areas will be crowded.

Chan said that visiting hours for both public and private cemeteries in Lapu-Lapu City shall be from 6 o’clock in the morning up to 12:00 midnight only from October 29 to November 2.

Any form of alcoholic beverages and gambling, as well as sound systems, playing of loud music, and karaoke, shall be prohibited in public and private cemeteries.

Other prohibited items shall include bladed weapons, knives, spears, bolo, and other similar items.

The mayor added that only ambulant vendors with special permits from the City Mayor shall be allowed to sell goods over the four-day period at the designated ambulant vending areas outside the cemeteries as identified by the Lapu-Lapu City Clearing Team.

“The owner, manager, or administrator of all cemeteries and memorial parks shall ensure the proper implementation of these guidelines. Failure to comply with these guidelines shall subject them to the suspension of their business permit,” Chan stated.

Likewise, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office in coordination with the barangay local government units concerned shall monitor all public and private cemeteries and memorial parks for the proper implementation of the guidelines to ensure the solemnity and safety of the revelries. – Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, JMD (FREEMAN)