Military sees no threat during All Saints break

MANILA, Philippines - Although no threat has been monitored ahead of the observance of All Saints’ Day, the military vowed yesterday to intensify its intelligence-gathering efforts to foil any attempt to disturb the feast of the dead, but would not raise the alert level.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the AFP will intensify its intelligence monitoring and collection efforts and security operations, particularly in the countryside, and would support the Philippine National Police (PNP) in strategic regions.

“The AFP will not raise the military’s alert level status. However, it is up to the discretion of the different unified commanders depending on their assessment of the security situation in their respective areas,” Burgos said.

He said they are ready to deploy troops to augment security forces and policemen positioned in strategic areas.

“Priority now is the security of all vital installations and areas where civilians are expected to crowd, particularly cemeteries and transport terminals,” he said.

Burgos said they are working closely with the PNP and the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Centers to ensure the safety of the public.

“We would like to assure the people that our security efforts will be further strengthened, intelligence operations will be intensified and that we are always prepared should pressing situations and threats rise,” he said.

Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin urged the public to follow the rules set in cemeteries to prevent confusion and untoward events.

Gazmin, chairman of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), reminded cemetery-goers to refrain from drinking, singing and other activities that may disturb the solemnity of the holiday.

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) administrator and NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos reminded the public to undertake precautionary measures when traveling and to ensure that their houses are well secured before leaving for a vacation.

PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome said the entire PNP will be on full alert starting today to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ and Souls’ days.

Bartolome said the alert status covers police regional offices, territorial units and the national support units involved in police operations.

“The alert of all operational support units will be upgraded to full alert status starting Oct. 30 or two days before All Saints’ Day,” Bartolome said.

He added that security measures would be observed nationwide as people from Metro Manila are expected to flock to the provinces to visit their departed relatives.

He said 90 percent of the police force would be deployed to cemeteries nationwide.

“The PNP chief said their security plan also covers beaches and resorts where local tourists are expected to proceed after visiting the cemeteries. He said since weekend follows the All Saints’ and All Souls’ holidays, people would surely take advantage of the long break.

“So we are on duty 24/7 to watch over the places they will go to,” he said.

Observe proper waste disposal

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje urged Filipinos yesterday to respect the dead by observing proper waste disposal in cemeteries.

“As we visit our departed loved ones, let us show our respect for them by making their final resting place garbage-free. By doing this, we also spare ourselves, the living, from the adverse effects of improper waste management,” Paje said.

Every year, the DENR warns the public against indiscriminate waste disposal during All Saints’ Day. Yet tons of garbage litter the cemeteries after every Undas.

Data shows at least 30,000 tons of garbage are collected nationwide daily. The number, however, soars during public celebrations like All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

“We will never get tired of reminding the public about proper waste disposal until the time comes when all of us who troop to cemeteries during Undas show respect for both the living and the dead,” Paje said.

He advised people to use reusable containers in bringing food to the cemeteries.

Makati suspends number coding

The city government of Makati will suspend the number coding scheme on Nov. 1 and 2 to allow the public to use their vehicles in going to the cemeteries.

Makati-Department of Public Safety (DPS) director Hermenegildo San Miguel said they would also reroute traffic starting midnight of Oct. 31 to ease the flow of vehicles around the Manila South Cemetery, Makati Public Cemetery and the Makati Catholic Cemetery for the convenience of visitors.

Closed to vehicular traffic are Kalayaan Avenue from Zapote Street to F. Zobel St.; South Avenue from Metropolitan to JP Rizal; Vito Cruz from South Avenue to Zapote St.; N. Garcia (formerly Reposo) Street from Jupiter to JP Rizal; and Pililia Street from JP Rizal to Kalayaan Avenue.

The following streets will be opened to two-way traffic: JP Rizal from Pasong Tirad to Makati Avenue; Kalayaan Avenue from F. Zobel St. to Makati Avenue and from Pasong Tirad to Zapote St.

San Miguel added the traffic rerouting would remain in effect until midnight of Nov. 2 to accommodate those unable to go to the cemetery on Nov. 1.

Ambulances and medical teams from the Makati Rescue and the Makati Health Department will be deployed to provide assistance and emergency first-aid when needed.

No weather disturbance

No tropical cyclone will affect the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ days, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA)’s seven-day weather outlook released yesterday.

However, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon and the tail-end of a cold front will bring light rains over Northern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Today will be generally sunny with some drizzle in the morning over the eastern section of the country, particularly Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Bicol region, Eastern Visayas, Surigao provinces and Davao Oriental due to the northeast monsoon. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Michael Punongbayan, Mike Frialde, Helen Flores