MANILA — To ensure a peaceful and orderly commemoration of the All Saints’ and All Soul’s days this coming weekend, the Southern Police District (SPD) will deploy 970 policemen in southern part of Metro Manila.
SPD acting director Senior Supt. Eliseo Dela Cruz said 870 police officers and an additional 100 personnel from the Regional Public and Safety Battalion (RPSB) in National Capital Region Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will be deployed in 28 cemeteries within the SPD’s area of responsibility.
He said the security deployment of the SPD will also be complemented with 1,605 force multipliers, Bantay Bayan, Barangay Tanods and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), security guards and NGOs.
Moreover, personnel complements from the district’s police stations consisting of 720 strong men and women will be having their skeletal deployment as early as Oct. 30 to provide police assistance, considering there are some who prefer to pay respect and/or visit the graves of their departed relatives and loved ones at an earlier date to avoid congestion in cemeteries.
Dela Cruz also ordered all heads of the seven police stations under SPD to intensify/increase their police visibility, round-the-clock foot and mobile patrols on the streets to deter criminals planning to conduct their illegal activities during the height of the commemoration for the dead.
The SPD covers the cities of Pasay, Makati, Parañaque, Las Piñas, Muntinlupa, Taguig as well as the municipality of Pateros.
Dela Cruz also SPD has included in its security preparations the deployment of additional police officers to intensify monitoring on all bus stations, airports, commercial centers and some segments of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) located within their area of jurisdiction.
He said the top priority for security deployment and monitoring are the bus/PUJ terminals, MRT/LRT stations to include commercial establishments and other places of convergence within the southern metropolis as well as apply a tighter security at the cemetery entrances to prevent entries of persons carrying liquor, bladed weapons, illegal drugs and other prohibited items.
Dela Cruz also urged the public to take advantage of the days before All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days to spruce up the tombs of their dearly departed.
Those who are leaving to spend the holidays in their provinces are also reminded to properly lock their houses and as much as possible check every door and window, unplug all appliances, check gas stoves, leaking/open faucets and see to it that no candles are lighted to prevent the occurrences of fire incidents and or explosions.
In addition, motorists travelling to the provinces must ensure their vehicles are in good running condition to avoid hassle and ensure that the following are in good condition: battery, light, oil, water, brakes, air, gas.
Passengers who are travelling in public utility vehicles are also advised to refrain from wearing or displaying excessive jewelry and bringing huge amounts of cash.
The public is also encouraged to immediately report to authorities anyone acting suspiciously. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
