All Saints’ Day 2013 ‘generally peaceful’—police

Filipinos head towards cemeteries to honour the dead on All Saint’s Day in Manila on November 1, 2013. AFP

MANILA, Philippines –The commemoration of All Saint’s Day on Friday in Metro Manila was generally peaceful, police said.

“As of now, so far so good and no major incident disrupted the commemoration of Undas this year,” Chief Superintendent Marcelo Garbo Jr., Director of the National Capital Region Police Office said.

“People continue to flock in cemeteries to pay respect on their departed love ones,” he said.

Policemen posted at the entrance of cemeteries continue to confiscate prohibited items such as knives and flammable items even after people were repeatedly warned against bringing them inside, he said.

Garbo also said that their police assistance centers inside and outside cemeteries helped in maintaining peace and order as millions flocked to several cemeteries in Metro Manila.

Additional uniformed and plainclothes police were also deployed in transportation hubs, commercial centers, and railway stations to ensure public safety.

Garbo also ordered police to coordinate with local barangay (village) and city officials, security guards, and non-government organizations in assisting all those who converged in and around cemeteries.

Residents who will be leaving their houses for the long weekend are advised anew to properly lock their homes and shut off gas tanks to prevent fires, Garbo said.

Police will remain on full alert even several days after the long weekend, Garbo added.
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