PNP: Undas 'generally peaceful'

MANILA, Philippines - The observance of All Saints’ Day nationwide was “generally peaceful,” with more than 45,000 policemen deployed at cemeteries to maintain peace and order, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. said millions have visited cemeteries all over the country and the security set up by the PNP in coordination with government agencies and non-government organizations (NGOs) was the major factor in the orderly observance of the holiday.

The Manila Police District estimated the number of visitors at the Manila North Cemetery at 1,000,200 persons as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

Although there was no incident that disrupted the holiday, Cruz noted that the PNP recorded six vehicular accidents, one fire, a robbery and a drowning.

The killing of international singing sensation Charice Pempengco’s father took place on the eve of All Saints’ Day in San Pedro, Laguna.

Philippine Animal Welfare Society volunteers Maegan and Justina Estuar offer flowers at the PAWS’ memorial wall for deceased dogs in Quezon City to mark All Saints’ Day yesterday. BOY SANTOS

At the Manila North Cemetery, eight gay men were arrested at past midnight yesterday for dancing on tombs while wearing only T-back bikinis. The eight men were charged with alarm and scandal before the city prosecutor’s office. At least 48 others were arrested for engaging in drinking sprees in the cemetery.

Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim also ordered the closure of “daang FPJ,” a makeshift passage that allows people to slip past security guards at the cemetery and leads to an area near the tomb of actor Fernando Poe Jr.