Azurin

PNP chief leads in paying respects to late presidents

October 29, 2022 Alfred P. Dalizon 841 views

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., on Friday, led his men in paying their respect to the late Presidents Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. and Ramon F. Magsaysay Sr. as he visited all police preparations in Metro Manila to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of the long “Undas” weekend.

Joined by National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo and PNP Director for Operations, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel B. Peralta, the top cop, first visited Manila’s North Cemetery, where they visited the tomb of President Magsaysay and former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary, Senator and Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim.

The three later visited the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City, where they paid their respect to the late President Marcos Sr., President Fidel V. Ramos, DILG and Defense Sec. Angelo T. Reyes and former PNP chief, Gen. Raul S. Imperial. As a young police officer, Azurin served as an aide-de-camp to Imperial, the 2nd PNP chief who held the position from August 28, 1992 to May 6, 1993.

Azurin inspected the NCRPO preparations for Undas ahead of the full deployment of the Metro Manila police force for the long weekend. He said that police will strictly implement all security measures in public cemeteries and private memorial parks and will ban the presence of drugs, weapons, gambling paraphernalia, karaoke machines, and other loud music players.

He also inspected NCRPO security measures inside and outside the Ninoy Aquino International Airports and Manila Domestic Airports as well as the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange or PITX.

“Ang security deployment and contingency plan ng NCRPO ay kasado na para sa selebrasyon ng UNDAS 2022. Lahat ng sementeryo, bus terminals, mga simbahan, at iba pang mga matataong lugar sa buong Metro Manila ay lalatagan natin ng mga pulis na magbabantay dito umulan man o umaraw. Sinisiguro namin na ang inyong kapulisan sa NCRPO ay nakikita, napapansin, nararamdaman, at gumagawa ng di-pangkaraniwang gawain para sa kapwa,” said Estomo.

The official said that a total of 11,666 personnel will be deployed in 128 cemeteries, columbaria and memorial park, 32 major thoroughfares, 133 transportation hubs/terminals, and 142 other places of convergence in the metropolis.

Police will be getting support from 1,805 personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and other force multipliers.

The NCRPO chief said that all deployed personnel will be in their posts from Saturday to Thursday next week to maintain peace and order and guarantee that no one would disregard the established rules before, during and after Undas.

“Unang-una, gusto ko pong paalalahanan ang atin pong mga kababayan lalong lalo na po ngayon na umuulan na kung maaari ay mag-ingat sa pagdadala ng ating mga maliliit na anak sa pagbisita po sa sementeryo dahil tayo po ay nasa panahon pa rin ng pandemya. Iwasan na rin po nating dalhin ang mga ipinagbabawal na mga bagay sa loob ng sementeryo gaya ng alak, matatalas na bagay, malalakas na patugtog, paputok, gamit pangsugal at iba pa upang hindi na po kayo maabala pa sa inyong pagbisita sa inyong mga yumaong mahal sa buhay,” Estomo said.

Azurin said that 85 percent of concerned police regional, provincial, city, and municipal offices and stations will secure the nationwide observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The top cop said that he wants stepped-up public safety and law enforcement duties in anticipation of increased public activity on the long weekend ahead of the traditional observance of Undas.

He said PNP Units had been instructed to maintain a police presence at all times along travel routes, transport terminals, public cemeteries, and major thoroughfares.

The PNP will establish at least one Police Assistance Center in every public cemetery or memorial park in cooperation with local government units, civilian volunteer organizations, and civic clubs.

Azurin likewise urged the public to take advantage of the long weekend by paying respects to the dead ahead of time to avoid congestion in cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria on November 1.

He also reminded the public to take necessary precautions when leaving their residences unattended during the long weekend. He advised traveling homeowners to coordinate with barangay authorities for special security arrangements.

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