Peaceful All Saints’ day: Security plans work

CEBU, Philippines — All Saints’ Day was observed peacefully in Cebu yesterday with crowds at cemeteries in Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu, and Talisay estimated to reach at least 70,000.

Police said the crowds at 21 cemeteries in Cebu City reached 41,000 while those at eight cemeteries in Mandaue reached 17,000. Meanwhile, an estimated 5,500 people went to the three cemeteries in Lapu-Lapu and an estimated 10,000 went to five major cemeteries in Talisay.

Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, director of the Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7, attributed the peaceful observance to the security preparations.

“Generally peaceful at yung nilatag nating security nasa ayos,” Espino said yesterday.

“Wala tayong natatanggap na anumang threat na magdi-disrupt sa ating selebrasyon ng All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day,” he added.

PRO-7 deployed at least 3,000 police personnel to monitor public cemeteries, man assistance desks, and conduct simultaneous mobile patrols across the cities until today, All Souls’ Day.

Cebu City

Still, the situation is not reason to be complacent, said Senior Supt. Joel Doria, chief of the Cebu City Police Office.

In fact, Doria said, 56 more security personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion will be deployed in Cebu City where two major public cemeteries are located – the ones in Carreta and Calamba.

It was in Carreta when a man identified as Juanito Fernandez, 25, was arrested for possession of an unlicensed firearm. Doria has ordered an investigation into Fernandez because it was found out that he has a pending warrant of arrest.

During inspection at cemetery entrances, police confiscated bolos, spatulas, screwdrivers, kitchen knives, and scissors but the same were returned to the owners upon their exit from the cemeteries.

Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu

In Mandaue, most of the 17,000 went to the St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the city.

Mandaue City Police chief, Senior Supt. Roberto Alanas, said no untoward incident was recorded yesterday albeit small knives meant to clean tombs were seized at the cemeteries.

Chief Insp. Aldrin Villacampa of MCPO-1 said some senior citizens collapsed at cemeteries reportedly due to the weather.

"Naay nakuyapan ganiha duha ka buok. Babaye ug lalaki nga mga tiguwang tungod sa kainit ganiha buntag ug niuwan sad. Gidala dayon sa mga responder sa hospital," Villacampa said.

In Lapu-Lapu, the police confiscated no contraband at the cemeteries in mainland and on Olango Island.

"No contrabands were confiscated," said Supt. Elmer Lim, deputy director for operations of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office.

Talisay

Meanwhile, police also described the situation in Talisay as generally peaceful.

Talisay Police chief, Supt. Jason Villamater, said residents in the city cooperated with authorities as they visited their loved ones at the cemeteries.

Prior to yesterday, police conducted an information drive to remind residents not to bring sharp and deadly objects to the cemeteries.

A liquor ban is also in place until today. Mae Clydyl A. Villa, Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Iris Mariani B.  Algabre (FREEMAN)