MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila cops have started implementing heightened security measures as millions of Filipinos are expected to flock to cemeteries to visit their departed during All Souls Day and All Saints’ Day, or Undas, this year.
In a press briefing Monday, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) acting chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas said a red alert status would be declared on October 30 to tighten security in public places, especially in transport terminals and cemeteries during the annual Filipino tradition.
Red alert status means all police officers are required to go on duty and be present at their respective assignments and stations.
Sinas said they would put up police assistance desks (PADs) in 118 cemeteries and columbariums across the nation’s capital region with a “focus” on bigger and public cemeteries such as the Manila North and South cemeteries.
Starting Tuesday, police desks would also be put up in major transport terminals the capital region, Sinas said.
“‘Our bomb-sniffing dogs will also be fielded in big cemeteries and terminals,” he added.
Sinas also said he would ask local police officials to coordinate with their respective force multipliers which include medical, fire and rescue volunteers as well as barangay officials.
While they have not monitored any threat to security, the police official vowed not to “relax” for the entirety of the Undas break.
All in all, 4,233 metro Manila cops will be deployed per shift for Undas 2019. This is on top of the two companies of Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and mobile forces of each district which are on standby in case of emergency. /kga
RELATED STORIES
PNP on full alert for ‘Undas’ despite no terror threat monitored
Red alert for NCR cops mulled for ‘Undas’