5,000 cops to secure Metro Manila for Undas

At least 5,000 police personnel will be deployed in Metro Manila to secure residents during "Undas" (All Saints' and All Souls' Days) when they go to cemeteries or provinces to pay respects to their dearly departed. Metro Manila police spokesman Senior Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said the deployment is part of a security plan for the occasion, radio dzBB reported Sunday. The report quoted Carlos as saying the Metro Manila cops will secure cemeteries, entry and exit points in the national capital, and places of convergence. Similarly, the police will guard vital facilities including government offices as well as land transportation terminals, airports and seaports. Carlos said Metro Manila police will remain on alert during the exodus of Filipinos to the provinces, until they return after Undas. Earlier, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will go on full alert this week to secure Filipinos who will pay their respects to their dearly departed. An earlier dzBB report quoted PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Agrimero Cruz Jr. as saying regional directors will have the discretion of when they will ease the alert level. It will be up to the regional directors if they will maintain heightened alert all the way to the Christmas holidays, the report added. — LBG, GMA News