3,000 cops to patrol Metro Manila cemeteries on Nov. 1 and 2

With millions of Filipinos expected to visit the graves of loved ones on November 1 and 2, the National Capital Region Police Office will deploy almost 3,000 cops to man cemeteries and columbaria around Metro Manila on the said days, which are observed in Roman Catholic tradition as All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day respectively. According to the NCRPO website, Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales ordered on Tuesday the deployment of 2,943 police personnel that will man some 74 Police Assistance Centers in some 84 cemeteries and columbaria in Metro Manila to ensure peace and order during the two-day commemoration, which fall on a weekend. Rosales said the NCRPO will be on heightened alert beginning Wednesday, and on full alert starting Friday. "Full alert" means that all available NCRPO personnel will either be deployed in cemeteries or patrol residential areas, malls, and vital installations. The Metro Manila police chief instructed cops to conduct patrols within and outside cemeteries to make sure that criminals will not take advantage of the large number of people expected to troop to these places. He also directed the police to strictly enforce the ban on carrying bladed weapons, alcoholic drinks, loudspeakers and gaming cards inside cemeteries, saying that these items might cause trouble during the two-day holidays. Additional policemen will also be deployed to bus stations and other transport terminals to ensure the safety of people expected to travel to their home provinces over the weekend. The police force will be assisted by around 7,454 “force multipliers" including barangay tanods (village patrols), fire volunteer brigades and civilian volunteer organizations, who are tasked to provide medical emergency services and other public safety measures during the said two days. – Andreo C. Calonzo, GMANews.TV