PNP declares ‘heightened alert’ for holidays, long weekend

With a three-day weekend ahead, police offices in Cebu declared a heightened alert status yesterday.

Crowds will be heading home to their hometowns for cemetery visits in Souls’ Day and All Saints’ Day, or for a holiday out of town.

Bus terminals are expected to have an influx of passengers for the exodus.

Today is a non-working holiday declared by Malacañang in celebration of the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice (Eid al Adha).

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) declared a heightened alert and directed all police offices to monitor the 141 cemeteries in the province as well as bus terminals and seaports.

The alert status means that police officers cannot go on leave of absence.

“I want warm bodies to be on the ground during the holiday,” said Senior Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr., director of the CPPO.

In Cebu City, policemen started inspecting cemeteries as part of their security preparations.

Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe said they will strictly enforce the ban on alcoholic drinks and deadly weapons in cemeteries.

In Cebu province, Comendador said the police will give special attention to cemeteries in Talisay City, Minglanilla, Naga City, Carcar City, Dalaguete and Argao in the south, as well as northern towns of Consolacion, Liloan, Danao City, Bogo City, Toledo City, Daan Bantayan and Balamban .

He said the areas were chosen based on the previous record of crime incidents during previous celebrations of All Souls’ and All Saints’ Days.

Bomb-sniffing dogs and SWAT units will be fielded in strategic locations.

Cemeteries will be off limits to alcoholic drinks and deadly weapons, said Comendador.

Loud partyin, karaoke singing and gambling will not be allowed inside cemeteries, he added.

In Lapu-Lapu City, the local police will be reinforced by personnel from the regional office.

Police assistance centers will be posted in cemeteries on Oct. 28.

Security will be tightened alo in PUV terminals and the Muelle Osmeña wharf and other seaports in Mactan. /With reports from Correspondents Chito A. Aragon and Norman V. Mendoza