INQUIRER.net / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — Around 1.8 million visitors are expected to flock to the Manila North Cemetery to remember their deceased loved ones during this year’s Undas, Manila Police District chief Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba said Thursday.
“Last year ang naging bisita ay estimated to be 1.6 (million) dito lang sa North, now that we are going to [the] weekend…we are expecting that it will increase. So, we are expecting na papalo tayo siguro hanggang mga 1.8 [million],” Balba told reporters in an interview.
(Last year, there were an estimated 1.6 million visitors here at the Manila North Cemetery, now that we are going to the weekend…we are expecting that it will increase. So, we are expecting that it will go up to 1.8 million.)
According to Balba, around 6,500 people have so far visited the 54-hectare burial ground since Wednesday afternoon.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas reminded the public to stay safe and remain vigilant against thieves and robbers.
Sinas said that based on police data, theft and robbery topped the list of crimes usually perpetrated during Undas last year.
“Based sa records natin, historically ang mga major crimes natin ‘pag mga ganitong panahon ay una ang theft and robbery; ‘yun talaga yung last year na pinakamataas na na-record natin,” he said.
(Based on our records, historically, the top major crimes during this time are theft and robbery; these crimes were recorded the most last year.)
“Nananawagan kami na mag-ingat talaga sa pag-biyahe, sa pag-alis nila sa bahay nila at ikandado talaga,” he added.
(We urge everyone to be safe during their travel. When they leave their house, they should make sure their doors are locked.)
The Metro Manila chief, likewise, reminded visitors to follow cemetery policies, particularly on prohibited items.
“Bawal yung alak, bawal yung maingay, bawal yung mga kutsilyo, bawal po ang sigarilyo,” he said.
(Alcoholic drinks are prohibited. Making too much noise is also prohibited, as well as knives and cigarettes.)
“Of course chinecheck yung mga gamit, kinapkapan para po masunod yung policies ng management,” he added.
(Of course, bags are checked to ensure that management policies are followed.) /je