MANILA, Philippines - Authorities deployed at several cemeteries in Metro Manila on Friday seized various items which are prohibited to be brought inside the burial grounds despite the repeated warnings from government agencies.
At the Manila South Cemetery in Makati City, police confiscated several bladed weapons from visitors who wanted to clean the tombs or gravestones of their dead.
Aside from knifes and bolos, police also seized bottles of paint thinner, several bottles of liquor and alcohol beverages, and some gambling paraphernalia.
Meanwhile, people who brought along children were registered or logged in at the entrance gates and were required to place large name tags on the children.
At the Manila North Cemetery, the number of visitors has reached 20,000 as of 6 a.m. Friday, a radio report said.
Manila North Cemetery is the biggest cemetery in Metro Manila.
Among the famous persons buried at the Manila North Cemetery are the King of Philippine movies, actor Fernando Poe Jr., boxing icon Pancho Villa, and former President Ramon Magsaysay.