NCRPO: Holy Week observance in Metro Manila peaceful

MANILA, Philippines - The observance of Holy Week in Metro Manila was generally peaceful, a police official said yesterday.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said no untoward incidents were reported during the Lenten break.

Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario said the number of passengers who went to the provinces to spend the long weekend was fewer than last year. 

The SPD deployed at least 60 policemen to 14 bus terminals in the southern part of Metro Manila.

 Albayalde said the NCRPO would remain on alert today to ensure the safety of passengers returning to the metropolis.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) implemented “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” during the Holy Week.

LTFRB Region 10 director Alimoden Guro reminded bus and jeepney operators to comply with the no overloading policy for public utility vehicles.

Holy Week trash

An environmental group espousing a trash-free Holy Week lamented the massive littering in two pilgrimage sites outside Metro Manila.

The EcoWaste Coalition expressed dismay over the trash left by devotees in the surroundings of the Our Lady of Peace Cathedral in Antipolo City in Rizal and the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.

“We regret the lack of discipline of the devotees in disposing of their trash,” Aileen Lucero, the group’s national coordinator, said.

She said the roads leading to the shrine of the Virgin Mary in Antipolo were littered with candy wrappers, plastic bags and bottles as well as cigarette butts.

“The situation could have been worse if not for the hundreds of street sweepers deployed by the local government units of Pasig, Cainta, Taytay and Antipolo who worked around the clock to clean the streets,” Lucero said.

In Maguindanao, Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu has ordered provincial police director Senior Supt. Agustin Tello to deploy additional policemen near churches during the Easter celebration.

“This is to ensure the safety of our Christian constituents on Easter Sunday,” Mangudadatu said.

He said his administration is promoting cultural and religious solidarity among Christian, Muslim and lumad communities.

Mangudadatu is the chairman of the Muslim Provincial Peace and Order Council.

Mangudadatu asked Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, commander of the Army’s 6th Infantry Division, to augment policemen tasked to secure Christian worship sites in Maguindanao.  –  Robertzon Ramirez, Gerry Lee Gorit, Rhodina Villanueva, John Unson