Bicol police on ‘high alert’ beginning Tuesday for ‘Undas’

LEGAZPI CITY – All police stations in Bicol region will be placed under “high alert” starting Tuesday for the observance of All Saints and All Souls Day on Nov. 1 and 2 this year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bicol announced on Monday.

Security measures are in place to make the two-day traditional religious event safe for residents and visitors who intend to pay their respects to their departed relatives in various private and public cemeteries across Bicol, said Chief Insp. Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson.

Calubaquib said the security plan dubbed “Oplan Undas” would field 6,000 policemen from the PNP regional command. The deployment aims to beef up local police units in various towns and cities in the six Bicol provinces.

The security plan also includes the non-issuance of vacation leave to all police personnel during the period and the recall of leaves of absence earlier issued.

Police assistance units dispatched in various cemeteries would check individuals bringing in any kind of liquor, firearms, and bladed weapons inside the cemeteries. The PNP would also carry out a traffic plan that would prevent congestion in major highways and road networks leading to cemeteries.

The police, in coordination with the Philippine Army, would also secure vital government and private installations such as power and communication facilities.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Bicol will reactivate a task group that will assist motorists during the religious event.

Lucy Castañeda, DPWH Bicol spokesperson, said the regional office has directed district engineers to assign personnel to man the DPWH Motorist Assistance Centers in strategic locations of the region’s national highway.

The motorist assistance service dubbed “Lakbay Alalay” would be operational starting Wednesday until November 4.

The task group would be composed of engineers, mechanics, equipment operators, and service crew, Castañeda said./lb