Bus terminal security tightened for 'All Souls' weekend' exodus

Security was tightened at bus terminals in Metro Manila as the yearly All Souls' Day exodus began to peak early Friday. Police inspected security measures at bus terminals as they went on full alert on Friday, according to a report by radio dzBB's Allan Gatus. The management of the Araneta Bus Terminal in Quezon City said they are bracing for up to 12,000 passengers going to the provinces on Friday and Saturday. Quezon City police director Chief Superintendent Benjardi Mantele personally led an inspection of security measures at the Araneta Bus Terminal. Meanwhile, bus firms said they have doubled the number of their trips since Thursday. The dzBB report quoted representatives of bus firms as saying they expect "11,000 to 12,000" passengers to go to the provinces on Friday and Saturday. Citing reservations made by passengers, they said most of the trips for Friday were to destinations in the Visayas, and most of those on Saturday were to Bicol. As early as Thursday, Filipinos started taking bus trips to the provinces so they can pay respects to their dearly departed in their home provinces. All Souls' Day, November 2, is a Catholic feast day for remembering the dead. However, millions of Filipinos start flocking to cemeteries as early as November 1, All Saints' Day, also a Catholic feast for honoring all saints, both those who are known and the unknown. Many Filipinos even start visiting cemeteries on Halloween (also known as All Hallows' Eve), October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day (previously called All Hallows' Day). –VVP, GMANews.TV