Cops deployed in 98 Metro cemeteries

MANILA, Philippines - National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Joel Pagdilao ordered yesterday the deployment of plainclothes policemen in 98 public and private cemeteries in Metro Manila to ensure public safety during the observance of All Saints’ Day.

Pagdilao said plainclothes police officers would prevent petty criminals such as pickpockets and “Salisi” gang members.

Public assistance desks were set up near the cemeteries, he said.

He said they have coordinated with the local government units to prohibit the entry of deadly weapons, liquor and flammable materials in cemeteries.

Pagdilao inspected yesterday the security preparations at the North and South cemeteries in Manila.

The 19,000-strong NCRPO has been on full alert since Thursday.  

The NCRPO deployed uniformed policemen in bus terminals, seaports and airports in anticipation of the exodus of people going to the provinces to honor their dead.

QCPD on alert

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) will deploy additional policemen in six cemeteries and 28 bus terminals in the city.

The QCPD will be on alert until Nov. 3, QCPD spokesman Chief Inspector Jeffrey Bilaro said.

Police would be deployed at the Himlayang Pilipino; Manila Memorial Park Holy Cross on Quirino Highway, Novaliches; Parokya ng Pagkabuhay Cemetery in Bagbag; Baesa Cemetery in Barangay Baesa; Novaliches Cemetery, and Recuerdo Cemetery.

Army TF activated

The Philippine Army will activate today Task Force Pagmamahal to assist visitors at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig.

Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said the task force, composed of four groups, would ensure the safety of the visitors.

The Service Support Task Group will handle the overall preparations at the Libingan ng mga Bayani and will help families locate the graves of their departed loved ones. The group will also provide transportation and medical services to the public.

Another task group will perform vigil service at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers while a third task group will ensure the safety of visitors.

Another group will ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

 “Parking areas will be designated and roving patrols and traffic marshals will be deployed to ensure smooth traffic flow and direct visitors to authorized parking areas,” Hao said.  

In Manila, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno urged the people to refrain from bringing prohibited materials when they visit the North and South cemeteries.

Moreno said knives, liquor, play cards and sound systems would be confiscated.

Las Piñas Mayor Vergel Aguilar said police assistance desks and medical stations manned by personnel of the city’s disaster risk reduction and management office as well as volunteer groups would be set up at St. Joseph Cemetery and Golden Haven Memorial Park starting today until Monday.

The local government will implement a traffic rerouting scheme and no-parking policy along Tramo Road from Zapote to E. Aldana and C-5 Road. – With Robertzon Ramirez, Jose Rodel Clapano, Alexis Romero