PNP: All Saints' Day observance generally peaceful

MANILA, Philippines – The traditional observance of All Saints’ Day was generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

As of noon yesterday, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) reported the confiscation of 63 bladed weapons, one jungle bolo, one brass knuckle, one toy gun, one tear gas canister, one color Gameboy, 20 sets of playing cards and other gambling paraphernalia from people who were about to visit the graves of their loved ones.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said field reports reaching his office indicated a peaceful and orderly situation nationwide during the All Saints’ Day holiday.

“This ideal situation of uneventful and orderly holiday celebration is the result of the vigilance of police units and the cooperation of the public,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa commended all police personnel for the “excellent job” of providing security and public safety services to the people even as he expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the NGOs, volunteer groups, local government units and other government agencies for extending assistance.

The PNP chief noted that the police units will remain at their posts until today when people troop back to the city.

He also thanked the media for helping the police in informing the public of their safety and security concerns.

Verzosa added that the PNP remains on nationwide heightened alert and is anticipating the surge of motorist and commuter traffic from the provinces back to Metro Manila until today, the last day of the 3-day weekend holiday.

Verzosa said the PNP is looking forward to implementing similar preventive security measures in the coming Christmas season.

Verzosa said the PNP established 4,825 Police Assistance Centers (PAC) in public cemeteries, memorial parks, churches, highways, seaports, bus terminals and resorts in different locations nationwide as part of the PNP’s nationwide security and public safety plan for the Halloween holiday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said that except for the perennial vehicular and pedestrian traffic congestion in memorial parks and public cemeteries, there were no major peace and order issues that marred the observance of All Saints’ Day this year.