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MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police Director General Nicanor Bartolome said Wednesday he ordered the deployment of extensive public security and safety coverage when the country observes All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this Thursday and Friday.
Bartolome said regional directors throughout the country, as well as the Highway Patrol Group, have been instructed to put up road assistance centers and deploy Route Safety Marshalls to major thoroughfares and other strategic areas leading to cemeteries and other places of convergence of people.
“The conduct of strengthened police visibility operations and security patrols in the different areas of convergence like churches, cemeteries, malls, transport terminals and train stations, as well as major thoroughfares and roads leading to the provinces, will be maintained as these places are expected to bring influx of people,” he said.
Police intelligence, counter-intelligence, and other police operations, Bartolome said, would likewise be intensified as pre-emptive measures against possible terrorist activities.
Public Assistance Hubs will also be available to assist physically challenged individuals in cemeteries, seaports and airport.
Furthermore, Bartolome issued and reiterated crime prevention and safety tips for the public to keep them aware of their security, saying that each and one of us has a role to play in the maintenance of peace and order.
“Every member of the community plays a vital role in our aim to maintain peace and order and security in our country. Our Crime Prevention and Safety Tips are just many of the things that our people can do to prevent or reduce their chances of becoming a victim of lawless activities and criminals” Bartolome said.
Bartolome also instructed the Directorate for Police Community Relations to orchestrate the active participation of radio groups, accredited Non-Government Organizations and community-based volunteers in providing traffic management, road safety and community watch during the celebration and reminiscence of our dead.
In Manila, Mayor Alfredo Lim directed village officials and concerned police units throughout the city to coordinate with each other in guarding their areas against criminal elements who may take advantage of houses left by its owners in line with the long weekend.
In a meeting with Manila Police District (MPD) Director General Alex Gutierrez and station commanders, Lim stressed the importance of continuous patrol to thwart criminal elements who may be eyeing such vacant houses.
Lim said police and village watchmen can augment for one another when needed.
“Coordinating with barangay officials is highly important since it is the barangay authorities who would know firsthand if there are strangers lurking within their areas of jurisdiction,” Lim said.
Lim said three ambulances would be on standby each at the Manila North Cemetery and the Manila South Cemetery to attend to possible emergency cases, in addition to other preparatory measures already undertaken by cemetery directors Eddie Noriega and Henry Dy, respectively.
Health desks manned by 20 doctors and nurses will also be put up to apply first aid, as well as assistance desks manned by policemen. Wheelchairs, Lim said, will also be on standby to ferry people with disabilities or senior citizens, complete with volunteers who will bring the said visitors to the gravesites of their departed loved ones.
Paging systems have also been installed for announcements such as when someone had lost or found certain items and in cases of missing children.
The mayor reiterated his call to the public against bringing to cemeteries any deadly weapon, liquor, gambling paraphernalia, and karaokes, or any sound system, which may interrupt solemnity of the occasion.