PNP on heightened alert for Undas, deploys 21K cops

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THE PNP has gone into heightened alert throughout the country over the observance of All Souls’ and All Saints’ Day or Undas and will deploy 21,000 cops to ensure peace and order.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the police force has not monitored any credible or serious threat but will still raise the number of cops to be deployed by 3,000.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla urged the public to be vigilant against criminals who might prey on them during Undas and said the PNP will deploy 27,000 cops throughout the country.

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“We are maintaining our security stance and measures and our coordination with other security forces to ensure that possible security threats will not be able to sneak on us,” said Fajardo, who initially announced last Monday that the PNP will deploy 18,000 cops all over the country.

“Effective yesterday (Tuesday), our APC (area police commands) and PROs (police regional offices) are on heightened alert as part of our security coverage for Undas,” said Fajardo.

“There is an addition of more or less 3,000 (personnel), from the earlier projected deployment of 18,000. We’re deploying around 21,000 for Undas as of yesterday (Tuesday),” said Fajardo.

She said police commanders were given the “prerogative and discretion to increase their deployment depending on the prevailing security situation in their areas.”

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, meanwhile, said the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number-coding scheme will be suspended in the metropolis starting today, October 31 up to November 1.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said over 300 first aid stations manned by 2,297 first aiders will be set up in cemeteries, highways, bus terminals, seaports, gas stations, beaches, airport, church, mall, and barangay halls. 

Fajardo said some of the cops have been deployed as early as last Monday when the number of people going to cemeteries to visit their loved ones swelled.

She said police assistance desks will be set up at cemeteries and transport terminals to assist people trekking to the provinces.

Fajardo said Explosive and Ordnance Disposal and K9 units will also be deployed to these areas “to ensure the safety and security of travelers during Undas.”

In a radio interview, Fajardo said the PNP has 12,000 more policemen as “reserve forces” ready to be deployed if the need arises.

“We want to assure everyone that we have enough personnel (to secure Undas),” said Fajardo.

Fajardo said the PNP will secure the observance of Undas in coordination with the Armed Forces, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection and other concerned agencies.

VIGILANCE NEEDED

“As we commemorate and pray for the souls of our departed loved ones, the DILG urges the public to practice vigilance against criminals and scammers who take advantage of big crowds in cemeteries,” Remulla said.

“We also appeal for the public’s cooperation in observing proper protocols in cemeteries against consumption of alcoholic beverages, gambling, and instigating all forms of disturbances,” added Remulla.

Remulla also urged local government units (LGUs) to convene their local peace and order councils “and adequately prepare and ensure the safety and security of the people who will flock to cemeteries, memorial parks, and churches.”

Remulla said he expects LGUs to deploy traffic enforcers, barangays tanods, barangay peacekeeping action teams, medical personnel and other force multipliers to ensure peace and order in their areas.

“The Bureau of Fire Protection and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) are likewise expected to provide necessary assistance to their respective LGUs and the PNP in addressing other public safety concerns and responding to emergencies,” said Remulla.

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PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the PNP deployment during Undas will provide a sense of peace and safety across the nation.

“We want the public to feel the presence of the police, to feel secure as they go about their lives,” said Marbil, adding the deployment is also meant to deter crimes, including burglary.

“We are deploying more personnel to communities, cemeteries, transport terminals, and other areas where people traditionally gather to commemorate their loved ones,” he added.

“Our goal is twofold: to secure the community from opportunistic crimes like akyat-bahay and to assist motorists and the general public who may need help during this period,” added Marbil.

He said police visibility and vigilance will be intensified to “guarantee everyone’s safe and peaceful observance of Undas.”

To criminals, Marbil said: “Let this be a reminder to those with ill intentions that the PNP is ready and on alert. Our officers are here not only to safeguard but also to assist those in need on the roads and in busy areas.”

CODING LIFTED

The MMDA said the number coding scheme was suspended because the agency expects thousands trooping to bus terminals, ports and airports to go to their provinces for Undas.

“The Expanded Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number coding scheme is suspended on Oct. 31, Thursday, to give allowance to those who are going to cemeteries for All Saints’ Day and the long weekend, and on Nov. 1, Friday, which is a non-working holiday,” the agency said in an advisory posted on its social media accounts.

The city government of Makati also announced the suspension of the number coding scheme starting at noon today in line with the suspension of work in government offices.

The city government of Manila announced that several roads leading to the North Cemetery in Manila and the South Cemetery in Makati were closed starting yesterday until Sunday, November 3.

It said that vehicles will not be allowed to enter the following roads from 12:01 a.m., October 30, until 7 p.m. of November 3, namely, the stretch of Aurora Blvd. from Dimasalang to Rizal Ave., Blumentritt from A. Bonifacio to P. Guevarra St., Retiro St. from Dimasalang to Blumentritt Ext., Maceda St. from Makiling St. to Dimasalang, and P. Guevarra St. from Cavite St. to Aurora Blvd.

Under the traffic rerouting scheme, those going to La Loma and Chinese Cemeteries should take Rizal Ave. or J. Abad Santos Ave. as their point of entrance or exit and vice versa, while motorists coming from Blumentritt shall turn left or right to Cavite St. then turn right to Leonor Rivera to point of destination.

Trailer trucks and other heavy vehicles coming from Arsenio Lacson Ave. going to Dimasalang are advised to go straight to Yuseco St. to their points of destination and vice versa.

Roads near Manila South Cemetery will also be closed to traffic from 12:01 p.m. today up to midnight of November 2.

Under Makati’s traffic rerouting plan, P. Rizal Avenue – from Makati Avenue to Pasong Tirad St. will be temporarily converted to two-way traffic, along with Zapote S. – from J.P. Rizal Avenue to Metropolitan Ave.

Vito Cruz Ave. Extension, from Pasong Tamo Ave. to Zapote St. will also be converted to one-way eastward towards South Cemetery.

One side of Vito Cruz Extension (north side curb) will be designated as a parking area.

PRC WEIGHS IN

In a televised public briefing, PRC Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said the organization is ready to provide medical assistance, with 2,297 first aiders.

“We stand ready to provide assistance as we have been doing this every year during this time,” said Pang.

“We want to make sure they are in good health when they go to the cemeteries and churches, and make them feel at ease, knowing if they experience any health problems, our volunteers are easily accessible and ready to help,” PRC Chairman and CEO Richard Gordon said in a statement.

Pang said the 320 first aid stations are strategically set up in cemeteries, highways, bus terminals, seaports, gas stations, beaches, airport, church, mall, and barangay hall. 

She said they will be manned by first aiders from 98 Red Cross chapters and branches nationwide.

She added they will also deploy around 104 foot patrol units, 60 ambulance units, and 57 mobile units.

“They will be deployed to ensure full coverage and accommodation of individuals, who may need immediate treatment or medical assistance,” said Pang.

The PRC said their “Undas 2024” operations will last until Sunday, November 3.

MANILA CATHEDRAL

The Manila Cathedral is opening its doors to the public who want to pray and offer masses for their departed.

In separate social media posts, the Manila Cathedral said the public may visit and offer their prayers and Masses for the dead until November 9.

“As a gesture of our love and assurance of prayers for our faithful departed, Mass intentions for the souls of the faithful departed can be offered at the Manila Cathedral Office,” said the Manila Cathedral.

“(You may) offer Mass intentions, and light votive candles for the dead at the Blessed Souls Chapel,” it added.

The Manila Cathedral said all Mass intentions for the dead will be offered until the end of November.

“Masses will be offered for their eternal repose this November,” said the Manila Cathedral.

It said the faithful may also visit and pray for former Manila archbishops buried at the crypt beneath the main altar, namely, Michael O’Doherty, Gabriel Reyes, Cardinal Rufino Santos, and Cardinal Jaime Sin.

“The Manila Cathedral invites the faithful to visit and pray at the tomb of our former archbishops now buried at the cathedral crypt,” said the Manila Cathedral.  – With Ashzel Hachero, Gerard Naval, and Christian Oineza

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