BALER, Aurora — More than 2,000 policemen will be deployed in different public and private cemeteries in Central Luzon to ensure peace and order during the observance of the All Saints’ and Souls’ Day.
Chief Supt. Amador V. Corpus, regional director of the PNP-Police Regional Office -3 (PRO-3) said the move is part of their annual “Oplan Kaluluwa” aiming to provide maximum security coverage and public safety service.
Corpus said the police personnel would work hand-in-hand with the military, barangay multipliers, and volunteers from non-government organizations (NGOs) to implement security measures before, during and after the “Undas.”
“It included security assistance along highways and major thoroughfares, and traffic management along routes leading to cemeteries and other places of convergence,” he said in a telephone interview.
“We are anticipating huge numbers of both domestic and foreign tourists, including residents from highly urbanized areas like Metro Manila, who will troop to the provinces to observe the Halloween season, that’s why we will beef up our security measures,” he added.
Corpus also said that public assistance centers (PACs) would be established along major highways, cemeteries, bus terminals and popular resorts, in coordination with concerned local governments units (LGUs) and NGOs in the region.
Likewise, he said that provincial and city police directors would implement more active security measures in public facilities and other vital installations as some groups may take advantage of the event for harassment and other violence.
“Our police will also establish and implement police patrol in coordination of the barangay watchmen to look after unattended homes where family members are expected to go to the cemeteries,” he said.
The PNP-PRO3, in its public service announcement, also advised residents to cautiously check and lock all doors, windows and entryways in their houses.
Meanwhile, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) has launched the “Safe Trip Mo Sagot Ko” (SMSK), a motorist assistance desk that would be positioned along North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX ) to help travelers who may need directions or assist vehicles in troubles such as flat tires, engine problems to ensure smooth traffic management and toll collection during the holiday. (PNA)
