Caloocan to flush out vagrants in cemeteries

Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri yesterday ordered a weeklong saturation drive in the city’s three public cemeteries to flush out lawless elements who sought refuge there.

He said the Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management (RDPSTM) and the Caloocan City Social Welfare Department will conduct drives on a regular basis “to ensure that the public will be safe and protected in addition to rescuing the street children and vagrants dwelling inside the cemeteries.”

Echiverri said the saturation drive will be conducted in Sangandaan Public Cemetery, Tala Cemetery in Bagong Silang, and Bagumbong Cemetery starting today until Nov. 2.

RDPSTM chief Alfonso Sta. Maria said they will coordinate with cemetery caretakers to make sure that only authorized individuals would be allowed within the memorial parks’ premises.

The CSWD personnel had earlier rescued at least 36 vagrants within the Sangandaan Public Cemetery. They were turned over to the care of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.          – Jerry Botial, Pete Laude