Makati goes on red alert vs thieves

Makati City Mayor Jejomar Binay has directed the city police to be on alert starting today until Nov. 2 as a precautionary measure against crime incidents that may arise while the people visit their departed loved ones.

Binay instructed Makati City police chief, Superintendent Jovito Gutierrez, to deploy additional mobile patrol units in residential areas which has become a popular target of robbers during this time of the year.

Binay has also directed the barangay counterparts of the police to assist in the patrol operations.

For his part, Gutierrez cautioned the public against attracting criminal elements by bringing too much jewelry or by displaying their mobile phones when they visit cemeteries. He added that the liquor ban starting today until Friday would be strictly enforced inside the cemeteries within the city.

The Makati City police Traffic Enforcement Unit also announced that a traffic rerouting scheme would be implemented at the areas near the three cemeteries in the city. Chief Inspector Candido Ruiz, head of the TEU, said Kalayaan Avenue, Nicanor Garcia street, South Avenue, Pililia street and Vito Cruz Extension would be closed to traffic.

One-side parking will be allowed along Metropolitan Avenue to South Avenue and Reposo as well as the sidestreets of Barangays Valenzuela, Sta. Cruz and Olympia.

Binay assured the public that there would be efficient police assistance centers inside all of the cemeteries during the three-day holiday.

Meanwhile, the Southern Police District (SPD) also went on red alert. "Let me take these opportunity to warn the people to secure their homes. They would be the targets of thieves," said SPD operations chief Superintendent Jose Gentilles. – Marvin Sy and Jose Aravilla