MPD chief: Tighter inspections to secure Manila South Cemetery for ‘Undas’

MPD chief Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba. Consuelo Marquez / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Police intensified its rounds and inspections to secure visitors at Manila South Cemetery a day before All Souls’ Day (Nov. 1), Manila Police District (MPD) chief Brig. Gen. Bernabe Balba said Thursday.

“One of way doing it is to make rounds make an inspection para makita kung mapapatupad ‘yung plano (so that we may see that the plan is implemented.),” Balba told reporters at the cemetery, referring to their plan to ensure a peaceful Undas season at the cemetery.

Balba said 152 policemen on regular duty are fielded at the cemetery to conduct routine inspections and body frisking.

Members of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and local government units are also deployed to help law enforcers keep a safe environment for visitors in the cemetery, Balba added.

Balba also appealed to people entering cemeteries to stop bringing banned items at the cemetery.

“Pinipilit natin sa mga dadalaw ‘wag na sila magdala ng ipinagbabawal. ‘Yung mga flammable items, ‘yung pets, ‘yung mga bagay na maingay at pwedeng pagsimulan ng samaan ng loob,” the MPD director said.

(We are asking visitors to not bring prohibited items such as flammable items, pets, and other materials that may cause noise and heated arguments.)

At 12 noon, police said 3,825 visitors have entered Manila South Cemetery.

Seized were eight bladed weapons, 38 flammable items, and 44 gardening tools.

Prohibited items are guns, knives, ice pick, screwdriver, pets, sound system, lighter, gasoline, thinner, illegal drugs, liquor and gambling materials. /je