9k cops to be deployed on All Saints' Day

ABOUT half of the entire Metro Manila police force will be deployed this All Saints' Day to ensure peaceful and orderly commemoration of next week's holidays.

In an interview on state-run People's Television Network, Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said more than 9,000 policemen will be safeguarding the three "points of interest" on November 1 - houses, roads, and cemeteries.

Espina said he has ordered all police district directors, police chiefs, and station commanders to ensure round-the-clock police patrol and monitoring to intensify security among houses and residents.

The NCRPO earlier reminded residents as well as establishment owners to be on guard against unlawful elements who would take advantage of the holidays and the long weekends. It also assured that police patrol visibility in barangays has been stepped up to thwart possible criminal activities.

Along the roads, Espina said assistance centers will be set up to aid motorists while inspections on public bus terminals will be conducted. The NCRPO will also be assisting the Police Highway Patrol Group in checking other vehicles including those privately owned.

In the cemeteries, Espina said the usual strict inspections on visitors will be implemented to ensure that no alcohol, bladed weapons, firearms and gambling paraphernalia will be brought inside the cemeteries.

Policemen will also monitor outside the cemeteries to guard parked vehicles.

To help the NCRPO during the coming holidays, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will also be deploying 8,000 to 10,000 traffic and law enforcers who will man the streets of the metropolis.

The MMDA earlier said there will be a no day-off, no-absent policy for some of its personnel including traffic enforcers, metro aides, and sidewalk cleaning operatives.

Some MMDA personnel will be acting as medical and emergency teams, traffic and public assistants, and cemetery cleaners. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)