PNP goes on alert for All Saints’ Day

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. placed police on nationwide alert yesterday in preparation for All Saints’ Day tomorrow and All Souls’ Day on Sunday.

As people troop to the provinces for a three-day weekend, police will guard bus terminals, seaports and airports, and patrol all major thoroughfares.

Police will also set up public assistance centers on highways and in cemeteries all over the country.

PNP spokesman Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil said security will be tightened in far-flung towns and police stations to deter any attacks from the New People’s Army (NPA) or any criminal gang.

As part of "Operation Plan Kaluluwa," the PNP directorial staff and the commanders of national support units were each given designated areas of assignment to ensure peace and order during the holidays.

In urban centers, Ebdane said police will hold joint patrols with barangay officials to prevent burglars from breaking into homes while residents are in cemeteries or the provinces.

"Since we have a long weekend, and people will be traveling to the provinces, we already put up a security plan," he said.

Ebdane also ordered police commanders nationwide to strictly implement the ban on liquor and the carrying of guns and other weapons in cemeteries.

"Mahigpit tayo diyan at bawal ang magdadala ng mga matutulis na bagay, mga itak... bawal mag-inom sa sementeryo," he said.

Ebdane advised motorists, particularly those in Metro Manila, to abide by traffic rules inside cemetery premises.

"We want to have control (of) the traffic of vehicles inside the memorial parks," he said. "So, the public are advised to just walk."

Ebdane said all vehicles are barred from entering cemeteries.

They will be given designated parking areas outside the perimeter, he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) has deployed action units in strategic points in Metro Manila to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles to the provinces.

DOTC spokesman Thompson Lantion said mobile enforcement teams are on standby in bus terminals, seaports, airports and railway stations nationwide,

Lantion said the DOTC is coordinating with the Philippine National Construction Corp. (PNCC) to oversee orderly travel at the South Superhighway and the North Luzon Expressway.

DOTC units would be working through the weekend until Nov. 2, he added.

Lantion asked commuters to be "extra" patient and cooperate with security guards who will check their baggage when they board buses for the provinces.

"This is for our own good and safety," he said.

In Metro Manila, traffic re-routing will be handled by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), he added.

In a statement, Transportation and Communications Secretary Leandro Mendoza said the DOTC has set up help desks and assistance networks in land, air, and sea terminals nationwide and in strategic points in regions to ensure the convenience, safety and security of passengers.

The DOTC Action Center has deployed men and mobile patrols to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and the security of passengers, particularly around cemeteries, bus stations, and in North Harbor in Manila, he added.

Lantion said the DOTC Action Center Command at the second floor of Columbia Towers along Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City will monitor round-the-clock the activities of field and mobile enforcement teams.

Lantion urged the public to call up the DOTC Action Center hotline at 7890 for transportation-related complaints and problems involving transportation and communication facilities. The hotline is open 24 hours to receive calls from the public, he added. — With Rainier Allan Ronda