MPD to deploy 1,000 cops for Undas

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District will deploy 1,000 personnel to secure the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in the city, MPD director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said on Tuesday.

Dizon said the police officers would be fielded in public and private cemeteries in the city.

He reminded cemetery-goers that bladed weapons, gambling cards and sound systems are not allowed in the cemeteries.

Meanwhile, Caritas Philippines, the social arm of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, urged the public to observe a trash-free Undas as a gesture of respect for the dead.

PCG on alert

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) commandant Admiral Artemio Abu inspected yesterday the port in Manila’s North Harbor to ensure the smooth and safe travel of sea passengers going to the provinces for Undas.

Abu said the PCG would be on heightened alert until Nov. 4.

Amid the bad weather brought by Tropical Depression Paeng, he reminded passengers to regularly monitor travel advisories in areas that would be hit by the typhoon.

The PCG deployed 2,436 personnel to all ports nationwide yesterday.

In Muntinlupa, the local government has set guidelines for people who will visit their dead during Undas.

While people are now allowed in cemeteries two years after the COVID restrictions, Mayor Ruffy Biazon said the city would still enforce health protocols.

Biazon said visits to family tombs would be limited to three hours only. Visitors must wear face masks and observe physical distancing.

Children below 12 years old and seniors above 60 are discouraged from going to cemeteries. – Robertzon Ramirez, Emmanuel Tupas, Robertzon Ramirez