18,000 metro cops on duty for 'Undas'

MANILA -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed thousands of law enforcers in Metro Manila to secure various areas and citizens who are commemorating this year's All Saints' Day.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said 18,000 of their personnel are all working Thursday to serve the public.

These NCRPO policemen are currently scattered at different cemeteries and police assistance hubs in Metro Manila, Espina said in an interview on state-run People's Television Network.

He added that some Metro Manila cops may be patrolling roads, terminals, and residential areas.

Espina also noted that the volume of people in terminals has decreased. In the Araneta Center terminal, authorities and bus dispatchers also observed earlier the lower turn-out of passengers this year.

On Wednesday, Espina accompanied PNP chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome, who inspected terminals and cemeteries in Metro Manila. The two police officials also visited the Manila North Cemetery (MNC) on All Saints' Day itself.

As of 2 p.m., the number of visitors inside the MNC has jumped to over 1.1 million, the authorities estimated.

The NCRPO chief echoed Bartolome's assessment that this year's "Undas" commemoration has been "peaceful" so far.

"So far, generally, there are no untoward incidents," said Espina.

However, he also noted that minor theft incidents possibly perpetrated by "salisi" suspects have been reported.

Espina said after the holidays, they will evaluate if the full alert status being implemented by the PNP will be terminated.

For now, members of the public, particularly those in the cemeteries, must also take care of their children and personal belongings, Espina said.

He advised the public to call the numbers 117 for police assistance. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)