POLICE Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Lani-o Nerez is hopeful that security preparations for the weekend’s observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day will all be in order.

This was after he paid a visit to bus terminals and a fast craft terminal yesterday morning.

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Nerez observed a more “orderly” way for passengers to enter the Cebu South Bus terminal.

Since they expect more passengers to arrive, the management of the Cebu South Bus Terminal added another waiting area and put up tents to accommodate more passengers.

At the fast craft terminal in Pier 4, he also praised the measures implemented by the security agency, saying they had doubled efforts to check the baggage of the passengers.

All bags passed through an X-ray machine while passengers passed through a metal detector. They were also frisked thoroughly by security guards.

After passing the X-ray machine, a security dog also sniffed the bags before the passengers were allowed to go through.

Their photos were also taken before boarding while a security camera took footage of passengers entering the terminal.

Gerald Gaylan, detachment commander of Catena Security Inc., said they employed the same security measures on regular days.

But because they anticipate more passengers, they added more security personnel.

Nerez said he will add more personnel for the bus terminal and fast craft terminal, anticipating more passengers in the afternoon.

Today, Nerez will visit Cebu City cemeteries to make sure the security plans there are in place. On Sunday, he will roam the cemeteries around Cebu province.

The region was placed on heightened alert yesterday morning.

Church officials, meanwhile, said they hope cemeteries will have tight security during the holidays.

Msgr. Esteban Binghay, episcopal vicar of the Cebu Archdiocese, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that he and his fellow priests are now preparing for All Saints’ And All Souls’ Day as they will be going in and out of cemeteries to hold hourly masses.

Binghay expressed concern over security near cemeteries.

He said that although police and barangay tanods can people from drinking within cemeteries, there are those who would drink outside it. These people, he said, would then enter cemeteries and cause trouble there.

In Lapu-Lapu City, police are on red alert starting today until Nov. 3. They will be securing three public cemeteries, including one in Olango Island, and a private cemetery in Barangay Mactan.

Based on security assessment, police’s focus will be on congestion caused by uncontrolled vending.

Acting Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Director Mariano Natuel said they do not have intelligence reports on people out to disrupt activities.

While Nautel confirmed requesting for augmentation of 100 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group (RMG), he said these are for the fiesta celebration and not the All Saints’ Day weekend. He said barangay tanods will be a lot of help in keeping order.

In Mandaue City, police are focusing on securing terminals, with the expected rush of passengers. Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) Director Orlando Ualat said police auxiliary, radio and volunteer groups will be assisting police in securing the city’s four cemeteries.

Private vehicles will be allowed to travel around the four cemeteries, according to the map of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaye (Team). All public utility vehicles, however, are barred from the area. Team said traffic signs will be placed on the roads to guide motorists.