CEBU, Philippines – Officials in the bridged cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue assessed that the observance of All Saints' Day this year has been generally peaceful.
The observance of All Saints' Day in Lapu-Lapu City went without a hitch, traffic and security officials in Lapu-Lapu City said.
Police Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, office-in-charge of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said around 6,000 people were estimated to have visited public cemeteries in the city yesterday, namely the Catholic cemetery in Barangay Humay-humay and municipal cemetery in Barangay Gun-ob.
A total of 1,000 people also visited the Mactan Island Memorial Garden in Barangay Marigondon, still according to official estimates.
"Gisubay nako ang tulo ka sementeryo ganiha (gahapon), wala ma'y problema," Radoc said.
People almost filled the streets since they were obliged to walk going to the cemetery. Parking areas were only allowed in each side the Hoops Dome grounds in Barangay Gun-ob.
Radoc added that they have deployed 400 security personnel consisting of officers from the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Barangay Public Safety Officers.
On top of this, around 320 police personnel from Radoc's department have been deployed.
"Sa pagkakaron, wala ta nakasinati og bisag unsa nga kakulian, ang kadaghan ra sa tawo (As of yesterday, we have not experienced any glitches, except for the volume of people)," said Frank Brazil, chief of City Traffic and Management System.
He also said there were no vendors roaming the streets. "Ato lang sila gihangyo nga magbaligya sila sa daplin aron dili makasamok sa mga naglakaw ug sa mga moagi nga sakyanan (We encouraged vendors to stay by the roadside so as not to affect traffic)," Brazil added.
No road dilemma, however, was reported in any cemetery.
There were medical and first-aid stations positioned in strategic and visible areas aside from the designated police desk assistance mounted in the area.
Prohibition tarpaulins were also posted reminding people not to bring any weapon and sharp knives and alcoholic beverages. Full-blast of music was also discouraged.
Meanwhile, Mandaue City was peaceful and orderly during the observance yesterday.
Mandaue City Police Office Director Police Senior Superintendent Petronelli Baldebrin in an interview said there has been no untoward incident related to the holiday.
Police Chief Inspector Jimmy Aguisanda said there were no major untoward incidents reported in the four cemeteries that fall under their jurisdiction because days before the occasion, they have been conducting information dissemination with regard to the prohibitions inside the cemeteries.
Stores nearby were told not the sell liquors to those who wished to get inside the cemeteries. Police apprehended those drinking near the cemeteries.
Inspections were also conducted to make sure that no bladed weapons were brought inside the cemeteries, which include the Mandaue Public Cemetery, the Grosmar cemetery, Manpark and St. Joseph Catholic cemetery.
Authorities have also prohibited the bringing of components inside the cemetery to avoid the loud sounds.
Aguisanda said unlike in the previous years, the number of visitors going to the cemetery has not been as plenty as it used to be and his observation was also shared by Traffic Enforcement Agency Management Director Edwin Ermac who said that even the lanes they have designated as parking areas were not full as compared to the previous years.
"Nagkagamay na lang gyud intawon ang mga tawo nga mosud og sementeryo ron," Ermac said.
Meanwhile , Zosimo Jumao-as, manager of Cebu North Bus Terminal located in Barangay Subangdaku, said that although they did not have sleep due to the volume of passengers who wished to go north since last Friday afternoon, he was glad because as of 2 p.m. yesterday, only a few people trooped the terminal.