The Philippine National Police (PNP) has put in place security and deployment plans in ports, terminals and major thoroughfares across the country in anticipation of the exodus of people to provinces to observe the “Undas” holidays.
“The PNP is “all systems Go” to implement a nationwide law enforcement and public safety plan for the traditional Filipino observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day culminating into a four-day Halloween holiday weekend on November 1-4,” PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing after the Monday’s flag ceremony.
Albayalde said they will be fielding 32,092 police personnel from the Police Regional Offices and National Support Units to perform security and public safety duties this weekend, as an estimated 14.6 million Filipinos are expected to troop to 4,677 public cemeteries and memorial parks, and 76 columbaria across the country.
The PNP chief said the Police Regional Offices and National Support Units will mobilize 86,977 force multipliers from Local Government Units, civic action groups, civilian volunteer organizations and motoring clubs to man Police Assistance Centers (PAC) in providing road assistance and public safety services.
Albayalde also said the security coverage will be implemented in all 83 airports and domestic air terminals, 333 seaports, 808 inland bus terminals, and 59 train stations in different parts of the country to assist travelers.
“The key element in this security operation is police visibility, considering both its crime deterrent and reassuring effect on the public,” he said.
“This is the general guidance to all Police Regional Offices and National Support Units. My outstanding order to all units and personnel is to remain visible at all times along travel routes, transport terminals, public cemeteries and other public places to establish police presence in these areas,” he added.
Local police units are also alerted to address possible security and emergency situations in public cemeteries such as missing persons, medical emergencies and accidents, traffic gridlock, overcrowding and congestion, stampede, petty crimes, illegal parking and vendors, swindlers impersonating as priests and long-lost relatives, and possession of deadly weapons and prohibited items.
“As of this time, we have not monitored any threat on the celebration of ‘Undas'. However, we will be always on our toes, monitoring will be continuous because we cannot security for granted,” he said. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
