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PNP, DOTC all set for All Souls' Day exodus


The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday they are prepared for the expected mass exodus of Filipinos to the provinces for the All Souls' Day. In an interview, Director Roberto Rosales, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said the police are also implementing the Oplan Kaluluwa to ensure a zero-crime rate during the occasion. "Sa Oplan Kaluluwa, sisiguruhin lang natin ang (kaligtasan) ng ating mga mamamayang sa loob at labas (ng sementeryo), pati sa mga terminals, yung mga pupunta ng probinsiya, para masiguro natin na talagang we can achieve yung zero-crime incidence," Rosales was quoted as saying in a report aired on GMA’s Unang Hirit. (For Oplan Kaluluwa, we will guarantee the safety of the public inside and outside cemeteries, in transportation terminals to make sure we achieve a zero-crime incidence.) In a separate interview on the news program, PNP spokesperson Senior Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the National Police has teamed up with local government units to man posts providing assistance to those who would be paying respects to their deceased loved ones. "All roads leading to the cemeteries or major highways, maglalagay ng motors and police assistance centers manned together with LGU components," Espina said. Policemen would also be deployed in cemeteries to guarantee public safety.

A week before the All Souls’ Day, people had started visiting the tombs of their loved ones at the Manila North Cemetery, where an estimated five million people flock every year during the occasion. Badong Velasco, officer in charge of the cemetery’s Security Force, advised the public not to bring bladed weapons, firearms, forks, alcoholic beverages, and even radios and guitars. "Mahigpit po kami ngayon (We will be very strict this time),' Velasco told GMA News. Exodus to provinces The PNP’s Oplan Kaluluwa also involves the participation of various government agencies like the DOTC. DOTC Undersecretary Thompson Lantion said security measures would be in place at seaports, airports, rail systems, and bus terminals. "Nandiyan po ang ating help desk at libreng tawag at ang emergency response teams at medical groups (There will be help desks, free call stations, emergency response teams, and medical groups)," Lantion told GMA News anchor Arnold Clavio. Lantion added that the public should arrive earlier than their designated time of departure because inspections would be very strict. He likewise said the public could contact their command center (7890) for reports or inquiries. - GMANews.TV
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