Despite the repeated warning of authorities, hundreds of prohibited items were confiscated from visitors at the Manila North Cemetery on Saturday.
Police Senior Insp. Melchor Villar of the Manila Police Station 3 said among the items seized were sharp objects such as gardening tools; flammable materials, and liquor.
“Patuloy pa rin ang reminder natin sa ating mga dumadalaw sa mga ipinagbabawal na bagay,” Villar said, adding that strict security measures were being implemented on the cemetery’s entrance gates.
But despite the confiscation of banned items, the police officer said the situation inside the cemetery was “very normal.”
“As of this day, ang situation natin ay very normal. Wala pa namang untoward incident na nire-report so far,” he said.
An estimated 16,000 people have trooped to the cemetery as of Saturday afternoon.
To ensure the safety and convenience of the people visiting their dead, Villar said policemen had been deployed inside the cemetery with six police assistance booths stationed in the area.
He said the Philippine National Police would be on full alert until Monday, Nov. 2.
Villar also reminded the public not to bring prohibited items inside the cemeteries, adding that gambling and loud music were also not allowed.
Meanwhile, medical teams have been deployed to the Manila North Cemetery to attend to the cemetery visitors’ immediate health needs.
The Philippine Red Cross have booths manned by medical staff and volunteers tasked to respond to emergency cases.
Free blood pressure monitoring, use of wheelchairs, bottled water and fans were provided to the cemetery-goers, while children were given name tags in case they got lost inside the 54-hectare area. Nestor Corrales/RC
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