THE long weekend in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day was generally peaceful and orderly nationwide, Philippine National Police chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. reported yesterday.

The top cop said no significant incidents were reported in Metro Manila and other parts of the country during the period except for the electrocution of a man inside the Eternal Peace Memorial Park in Mabalacat City in Pampanga and the arrest of seven men and the confiscation of three illegal firearms in Metro Manila.

“Undas 2022, as the national observance of All Saints’ Day this year, was generally peaceful and orderly. The PNP Command Center, from the start of long weekend up until this moment, is continuously monitoring all law enforcement and public safety operations by PNP Units across the country, particularly the situation in cemeteries, memorial parks and other places of convergence where people flocked for the traditional day of reverence for the dead,” Gen. Azurin said.

According to the PNP chief, alert policemen arrested one Mowwamar Mama Kasan for illegal possession of firearm and ammunition inside the Palanyag Cemetery Parañaque City public cemetery.

The suspect is now facing charges for violation of Republic Ac 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013. Gen.

Gen. Azurin said appropriate number of police personnel were deployed in 6,047 Public Assistance Desks in cemeteries and memorial parks, and Public Assistance Centers in land, sea and air transportation hubs for the expected surge of travelers returning to urban centers from the long holiday.

“These police units will remain in their posts until public activity has returned to normal,” said the PNP chief as he thanked all PNP units and their partner agencies, local government units and volunteers for helping the government ensure a generally peaceful ‘Undas.’

“These best practices shall henceforth be our template in similar public safety operations for upcoming major public events,” he added.

Gen. Azurin likewise said that PNP units have been instructed to provide necessary security and assistance to government health, aid, and public works personnel in preparation for Typhoon Queenie.

“ We are confident that with the early preparations in coordination with Local Governments Units, national agencies, and private organizations, we will be able to save lives and minimize the effect of the calamity,” he said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon