‘Twas a peaceful All Saints Day’

THE OBSERVANCE of All Saints Day throughout the country was generally peaceful, according to the Philippine National Police.

“It was a very orderly and peaceful activity,” said PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor, who noted that there was only one incident recorded over the weekend—the recovery of an improvised explosive device in a cemetery in Mindanao.

A monitoring report from the PNP’s National Operations Center showed that on Sunday, 1.8 million people flocked to the Manila North Cemetery, while 32,000 people went to the Manila South Cemetery.

While there were no untoward incidents, the PNP said it confiscated hundreds of prohibited items at cemeteries all over the country. These included 129 bladed or pointed weapons, 81 flammable materials, 12 bottles of liquor and 95 gardening tools.

The PNP set up 5,407 assistance hubs and deployed 39,758 policemen to secure cemeteries nationwide.

The Philippine Army also noted a peaceful observance at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Army spokesperson Col. Benjamin Hao said Sunday’s visitors to the 142-ha heroes cemetery reached 110,053. Julie M. Aurelio