All Saints' Day peaceful so far, says PNP chief

UPDATED 1:15 p.m. — All Saints' Day, the day when Filipinos traditionally pay their respects to the dead, has been peaceful so far with no major incidents of violence, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Raul Bacalzo said on Monday. "So far there have been no major problems except for traffic and the inspection of assistance centers. For the whole archipelago, the report of our supervisors indicate that everything is alright," Bacalzo said in Filipino in an interview with GMA News. National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the only major incident so far for the day is the residential fire in Pansol in Balara, Quezon City early morning. "So far walang major incident... all the rest nakikita natin peaceful (So far there hasn't been any major incident, it's been very peaceful)," Carlos said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV on Monday. However, radio dzBB on Monday reported that a minor named John Kevin Dinglasan was killed after a gang attacked and stabbed him inside the North Cemetery in Manila. Sketchy initial reports indicated Dinglasan was sitting near a mausoleum when a gang of youths allegedly attacked him. Dinglasan reportedly tried to flee but the gang caught up with him and stabbed him several times, dzBB said. Manila North Cemetery desk officer SPO4 Antonio Canares said reports reaching him indicate that the victim and the suspects have had a misunderstanding in the past. He likewise said they suspect that the killing was caused by a fraternity war. "Mayroon nang dating alitan yun nagkita lang dito sa sementeryo. Ayon sa mga kuwento kuwento parang fraternity yata (They've already been in a fight before and just met each other by chance at the cemetery. Reports say they were in opposing fraternities)," he said n an interview aired over GMA's Unang Balita on Monday. On the other hand, at least six people aboard a speeding tricycle along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue (EDSA) were hurt when they were hit by a speeding utility vehicle after visiting a cemetery in Quezon City on Halloween night. Carlos said that he has yet to receive any information about the incidents. He noted, however, that such crimes are just normal. "Hinde natin maiiwasan yan (We can't avoide that), we cannot have 100 percent zero crime," he said. A festive All Saints Day? A report by GMA reporter Dante Perello said visitors at the Manila South Cemetery have been in a festive mood since Sunday night. He said vendors have put up booths where different merchandise, from clothes to sunglasses, may be bought. He likewise reported that a free film showing and a picture-taking booth in a fake pink casket have been set up. GMA reporter Ruth Cabal quoted administrator Henry Dy as saying that at as of 11 a.m., at least 30,000 people have visited the Manila South Cemetery. Reporter Pia Archangel, on the other hand, quoted Manila police as saying that around 60,000 have visited the Manila North Cemetery. Among those spotted visiting the Manila North Cemetery are Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr. "My mother is buried here, of course I'll visit," Lim told GMA reporter Dano Tingcungco. On the other hand, GMA reporter Tricia Zafra said police expect at least 300,000 people to visit the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque, where famous personalities like the late President Corazon Aquino and husband Senator Benigno Aquino are buried. A report by GMA reporter Lia Manalac likewise reported that fans of deceased artists Nida Blanca, Julie Vega, and Francis M. did not fail to visit their idols' graves at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina. However, the report also said the sales of flowers and candles at the Loyola Memorial Park have not been good. A report by Monica Verallo said that flower prices have gone down since Monday morning. She said flower vendors at Dangwa have lowered prices by P50 to P200 since Sunday night. She said that a dozen roses now costs P200, Gerbera P180, Tulips P150, Malaysian Mums P150, Anthuriums P300, Gladiolas P100, Baby's Breath P100, Casablanca P150, Carnation P150, Orchids P280, and Chrysantehum P120. Police deployment Carlos said that they have deployed 5,000 policemen all over Metro Manila, mostly to cemeteries and terminals. "We are on full alert and almost all our personnel are on duty," he said. He likewise said that Bacalzo has been making rounds to check on the police officials. On the other hand, Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) consultant for traffic transport managerment office Col. Efuardo Bayangos told GMA News in a separate interview that they have also deployed 600 traffic enforcers to guard the cemeteries on November 1. He added that they are assisting the police in their rerouting schemes. "Ang mga rerouting po ay mga local police, kami po ay aalalay lamang sa mga rerouting plan (The rerouting plans were implemented by the local police, we will only be assisting them)," he said. Bayangos likewise reminded motorists to make sure that their vehicles are in good condition before traveling. He noted, however, that they have ambulances and tow trucks on standby. A report by GMA reporter Victoria Tulad quoted operators of the North Luzon Expressway as saying that they expect traffic to get heavier by 2 p.m., when those visiting the provinces return to Manila. The NLEX has reportedly opened two extra lanes at the Bocaue tollgate to accommodate the expected surge of vehicles. Motorists who have concerns about their travel may call the hotline 580-8991. According to GMA reporter Mikaela Papa, the MMDA has recorded at least three vehicular incidents have occured along the EDSA-Ortigas area since 7 a.m. on Monday. She said all accidents involved commuter buses and private vans. No one was hurt, said the report. - VVP, GMANews.TV