Police ready for Kalag-Kalag; LTO, LTFRB to inspect buses

CEBU, Philippines — Personnel of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 will be distributing informational fliers to ensure the safety and security of those who will be observing the All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day.

Also, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-7 and the Land Transportation Office (LTO)-7 will jointly conduct bus inspections at the Cebu South and North Bus Terminals starting at 8:00 a.m. today, in preparation for the "Oplan Byaheng Ayos - All Saints'/Souls' Day 2017."

Police Superintendent Renato Dugan, Chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division, said in a press briefing yesterday that the leaflets are part of the yearly Oplan Kalag-kalag.

The leaflet included helpful reminders for crime prevention and tips to lessen unnecessary delay in a long queue, especially in public cemeteries.

The leaflet urged the public to be mindful of their homes before leaving, by checking security measures available, such as CCTV cameras, or even neighbors that may watch over their house.

It also reiterated that sharp objects and other dangerous weapons are not allowed inside the cemeteries and to attach an identification card to children, just in case they get separated from their parents or guardians.

PRO-7 Director Jose Mario Espino said that all the vacation leaves filed by their policemen will be cancelled, because of the heightened alert level during the annual tradition.

Superintendent Julian Entoma, chief of the Regional Operations and Plans Division, said that there would be about 3,244 police personnel to be deployed for the Oplan Kalag-Kalag.

There will be 900 policemen from the Cebu City Police Office; 260 from Mandaue City Police Office; 218 from Lapu-Lapu City Police Office; 112 from Siquijor Provincial Police Office; 718 from the Cebu Provincial Police Office; 587 in the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office; and 562 from the Bohol Provincial Police Office.

As part of the contingency plan, police forces will leave a least 110 personnel to guard police detachments and as back-ups in case of unexpected events or emergency.

Meanwhile, the LTFRB-7 and the LTO-7 will jointly conduct bus inspections at the Cebu South Bus Terminal starting at 8:00 a.m. today.

LTFRB-7 Regional Director Ahmed Cuizon said they would then go to the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City the following day.

"We will be inspecting the road worthiness of the buses as well as their appropriate documents, like franchise," said Cuizon.

He added that both terminals have enough buses to ferry passengers. (FREEMAN)