MANILA, Philippines - Starting tomorrow, a maximum number of uniformed policemen, backed up by thousands of volunteers, traffic enforcers and barangay tanods, will be deployed at Manila’s four cemeteries – North, South, La Loma and Chinese – to secure the public on All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.
Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, with the support of the local government unit, has organized and activated “Task Force Kaluluwa” to ensure peace and order at the four cemeteries.
The task force shall be in effect beginning 9 a.m. tomorrow until 10 p.m. Monday, Magtibay said.
Days before, Magtibay and his men inspected bus stations and the piers to ensure the safety of travelers. Personnel from the Explosives and Ordnance Division with their K-9 dogs did a paneling of the four cemeteries to ensure that there are no hidden explosives at the places. Magtibay directed police mobile cars for a 24-hour patrol operation at the four cemeteries and at the Pandacan depot, Malacañang complex, the US embassy and all other vital installations in the city to prevent criminal elements from taking advantage of the situation to carry out their nefarious activities.
Coordination
Coordination with barangay tanods and the police were set up for a visibility patrol especially on abandoned residences whose households may be out in the provinces. Magtibay also advised cemetery-goers not to bring knives and other pointed objects, gambling paraphernalia and liquor inside the cemeteries. Loud music is also banned inside the cemeteries.
Public assistance centers will also be set up on entrances of the four cemeteries to assist the public.
Magtibay tasked the traffic sector to conduct the smooth flow of traffic and ensure the enforcement of traffic laws, particularly on pedicabs and vehicles without license plates.
First aid and medical centers with ambulances will be on standby at the entrances of the four cemeteries effective tomorrow. Fire trucks will also be positioned along Dimasalang Circle and at the entrance of the South cemetery.
Magtibay said that with the operational guidelines set in place, he is optimistic that the visiting public will be safe and secured in their observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.