PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar yesterday ordered tight security on airports, seaports and bus terminals in the country amid the expected exodus of the public during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day.

“Sa kabila ng pandemya, inaasahan natin na marami sa ating mga kababayan ang uuwi ng probinsiya ngayong Undas upang makasama ang kanilang mga kaanak at mahal sa buhay. Marami sa ating mga kababayan ang tiyak na hahabol ng biyahe ngayong Biyernes hanggang Linggo para makauwi sa kanilang mga probinsiya,” Eleazar said.

“Inatasan ko na ang kapulisan na maging mapagmatyag para tiyaking maayos ang sitwasyon sa mga terminal, mga pantalan at paliparan ngayong marami ang bibiyahe at uuwi sa kani-kanilang probinsiya,” he added.

The top cop stressed the importance of the observance of health and safety protocols in these areas to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

He also reminded the public to be ready with the necessary documents for their trips.

“Mainam na maging handa sa mga dokumento na maaaring hingin sa inyong mga destinasyon. Bago tayo bumiyahe, alamin natin ang mga requirements sa lugar na inyong pupuntahan lalo na’t iba-iba ang panuntunan sa mga probinsiya at munisipalidad. Ito ay para makaiwas tayo sa aberya at pagkaabala,” Eleazar said.

The PNP chief likewise advised the public not to insist on pushing through with plans to still visit cemeteries, memorial parks or columbaria, which have been ordered closed until November 2, to avoid problems with authorities.

Danao assures NCRPO prepared for Undas

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Vicente D. Danao Jr. yesterday assured their preparedness to ensure peace and order in the forthcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day observation in Metro Manila amid the new normal.

The official said that Team NCRPO is also fully equipped to patrol and monitor the entire metropolis to maintain peace and order during the said holiday.

Since the government’s pandemic task force declared that public and private cemeteries, memorial parks and columbarium in the entire country will be closed from October 29 to November 2 to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, Danao said his men have already been deployed since last Monday in these areas to assist people who will visit their loved ones before the closure.

He said that a total of 3,356 NCRPO personnel assisted by nearly 2,000 different force multipliers including those from the Metro Manila Development Authority and local government units have been deployed in 121 public and private cemeteries and memorial parks and columbarium around Metro Manila.

NCRPO men are providing security in these areas and at the same time reminding the public to follow minimum IATF health and safety protocols during their visit.

Danao said their security deployment will be up until November 2 to assure that no one will violate the imposed guidelines.

He also issued a number of reminders to the public.

“Unang-una gusto ko pong paalalahanan ang atin pong mga kababayan lalong lalo na po ngayon na umuulan na kung pwede ay huwag na po nating dalhin iyong ating mga maliliit na anak sa pagbisita po sa sementeryo kasi nga po mayroon pa po tayong pandemic at bawal po sa loob ng sementeryo,” he said.

“Lalong lalo na po kahit wala pang October 29-November 2. Siguro it would be very proper huwag ng dalhin ang mga bata. Yung mga bawal po, kahit po open ngayon, bawal po ang magdala ng alak, bawal po magbenta at siyempre bawal rin pong uminom sa loob po ng sementeryo ng anumang uri ng alak o nakalalasing na inumin,” he added.

Danao said they are also ensuring that the public will be prevented from carrying any illegal firearms or bladed weapons, karaoke or videoke machines as well as playing cards and other gambling paraphernalia inside cemeteries and memorial parks.