Police watching cemetery crowds
Police in Cebu and the region started implementing security measures in anticipation of crowds gathering for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day this weekend.
Cebu City’s three major cemeteries in Carreta, Calamba and Queen City Gardens, have installed closed-circuit TV cameras to monitor the movement of people.
Since yesterday, a rerouting scheme for traffic around the cemeteries has been implemented by the Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) effective October 30 to Nov. 2, Saturday.
Chief Supt. Noli Romana, city police chief, reminded families to secure their homes and important belongings before stepping out to go to the cemetery, especially if no one is left behind as a watcher.
“Even clothes left out to dry may be stolen, especially if they are branded,” he said.
Burglars may take advantage of empty houses when familes spend overnight vigils at the cemetery, he said.
The bulk of cemetery goers are expected to go on Nov. 1, All Saints’ Day, based on past celebrations.
Many families get an early start in cleaning tombs, bringing candles and flowers, and praying at gravesides to honor the memory of their dearly departed.
The Nov. 1 and 2 holidays are also traditional occasions for family reunions at the cemetery, with some celebrations lasting till the wee hours of the morning.
A ban on liquor and bladed weapons in cemeteries is in force, but after nightfall, it’s not uncommon to see drinking sessions begin.
Police help desks, paramedics and K9 bomb-sniffing dogs will be deployed in cemeteries as well as ports, terminals, and tourist sites.
Cebu city has 536 policemen on field, with 400 in Mandaue city, and 300 in Lapu-Lapu city for Operation “Kalag Kalag”.
Plainclothes intelligence agents will also be scouting the cemeteries for wanted persons, Chief Supt. Romana said.
In previous “Kalag Kalag” celebrations, the police were able to catch fugitives who went to visit the cemetery on this traditional day of honoring the dead.
Since Nov. 1 and 2 are non-working holidays, Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo, deputy regional director for administration, said they will also monitor tourist spots.
HALF-DAY AT CAPITOL
There’s half-day work for employees in the Provincial Capitol today.
Gov. Hilario Davide III issued a memo allowing government workers the afternoon off on Oct. 31 “to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe the day with all its religious fervor.”
However, a skeletal force will be kept in offices “performing vital functions involving the transacting public”.
About 2,000 policemen in Cebu province are being deployed for “Oplan Kalag-Kalag”.
Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, PNP provincial director, said he ordered the clearing of roads where people illegally park their cars especially in Sibonga town and Carcar city in the south.
“I ordered my men to find a private lot where the cars can park,” Gillamac added.
The Cebu Provincial Police Office is coordinating with parish officials in the towns for security measures.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas said cemeteries and beach resorts will be monitored.
“It’s important to secure the resorts because of the long weekend. Many families like to stay in beach resorts,” said the city police chief.
Extra attention will be given to the two bridges linking Cebu mainland and Mactan, he said.
In Mandaue City, which has eight cemeteries, chief of police Senior Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin said checkpoints will be put up with road safety marshalls. Each police station has 10 personnel.
The Police Regional Office – 7 is still on red alert with all leaves cancelled for policemen. /With Correspondents Chito Aragon and Peter Romanillos
