Cops tighten security at NCR bus terminals for Undas

The police began tightening security at bus terminals in the National Capital Region (NCR) early on Tuesday as many Filipinos started travelling to their home provinces for "Undas" or the commemoration of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. According to a report by radio dzBB’s Allan Gatus, the police set up an “Oplan Kaluluwa" public assistance center at the Araneta Bus Terminal in Quezon City. The city police assigned to the bus terminals have K-9 units to sniff out possible explosives, weapons and other banned items. The report said the Quezon City Police District expects augmentation forces to arrive this week. The augmentation forces include personnel from the Philippine Air Force and tourist police. The report also quoted a passenger, Rosanna Baylon, as saying she is taking a 16-hour bus ride to Samar early because she wanted to avoid the rush of commuters for the “Undas" exodus. 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, GMA News