MPD all set for All Saints Day; traffic rerouted

The Manila Police District shall deploy a maximum number of police personnel in four cemeteries in the city to beef up its security preparations for All Saints Day.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales has instructed his men to secure the areas in and around the four cemeteries – the North and South, La Loma and Chinese, against the threat of criminal elements which may take advantage of the influx of people in these places.

Rosales organized and activated “Task Force Kaluluwa” to orchestrate, direct, administer and supervise the conduct of intelligence build-up, security operations, traffic control and other contingency measures in cooperation with the local government of Manila to ensure peace and order during the celebration. Barangay officials and tanods are also tapped for security and traffic plans.

TF Kaluluwa, to be headed by the MPD chief, has six task groups: the TG North headed by Superintendent Romulo Sapitula; TG South under Superintendent Frumencio Bernal; TG La Loma of Superintendent Joemar Modequillo; TG Chinese by Superintendent Nelson Yabut, TG Daloy under Traffic chief Superintendent Roberto de la Rosa; and TG Masid under intelligence chief Superintendent Leo Francisco.     

The MPD will establish police advance command post (ACP) in Dimasalang Circle along Blumentritt street which shall supervise the deployment of uniformed personnel in the four cemeteries. Two police mobile cars shall be deployed in each of the four cemeteries which shall monitor the ground situation in these areas. Rosales said the police will start its security plan as early as 9 a.m. tomorrow. Uniformed policemen shall also be deployed on bus stations, seaports, LRT and MRT stations within the area of responsiblity of the MPD. Heightened police visibilty shall be imposed in all the four cemeteries.

“Operation Kapkap Bakal” or the frisking and inspection of all vistors in the cemeteries shall be imposed. Bringing in of hard liquor inside the cemeteries is prohibited.

Rosales said the police will also set up a public assistance center in each cemetery to render assistance to visiting people. Two firetrucks shall also be positioned at Dimasalang Circle and at the South Cemetery.

Rosales said he is encouraging civilian radio communications groups to assist the police in the maintenance of peace and order inside the cemeteries.

He said some 9,000 illegal residents inside the North Cemetery had already been flushed out in a series of saturation drives as part of the anti-crime measures.

Further, the stretches of Aurora Boulevard from Dimasalang to Rizal Avenue, Blumentritt from A. Bonifacio to P. Guevarra, Dimasalang from Makiling to Blumentritt, Retiro from Dimasalang to Blumentritt and Ma. Clara from A.H. Lacson to Dimasalang shall be closed to vehicular traffic starting at 4 a.m. on All Saints’ Day.

The District Traffic Enforcement Unit designated Craig, Simon, F. Huertas, Sulu, Oroquieta and Metrica streets as parking areas for visitors to the North Cemetery.

In Quezon City, trucks and buses coming from Balintawak area passing through A. Bonifacio Avenue heading to Manila shall turn left to Sergeant Rivera, then right to D. Tuazon and right to Calamba street.

All vehicles will not be allowed to enter Bagbag or Parokya ng Pagkabuhay and Novaliches cemeteries. – With Reinir Padua