Saturday, October 28, 2006 Even the dead will be guarded v. terror
EVEN the dead in various public and private cemeteries in Bacolod and Negros Occidental will be guarded against any terror act this coming All Souls and All Saints Day.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Director Rosendo Franco has instructed his chiefs of police to detail policemen in the entrances and exits of the cemeteries within their area of responsibility starting Saturday.
"We need to secure all cemeteries not just for the sake of the people coming in for the All Souls and All Saints Day but also the dead from desecration," said Franco.
Franco said he has instructed his men to inspect the belongings of the people coming in the cemeteries for any deadly weapons, explosive devices, guns, or even liquor and illegal drugs.
He said the security measure is part of police's renewed 'Oplan Kaluluwa' in the province.
"We've already learned our lesson after the October 8 Silay airport bombing and we don't want it to happen again," Franco added.
He said they have also coordinated with barangay tanods in all poblacion barangays of every city and town in the province to augment security measures.
Traffic enforcers will also be dispatched to man the traffic flow in major highways all over the province especially before, on and after Nov. 1.
In Bacolod City, City Police Director Pedro Merced said they will start their "Oplan Kaluluwa" Monday next week.
He said he has directed his men to be on alert even on All Saints and All Souls Day.
"We can't predict the move of those people who wanted to sabotage the peace and order in the City, so it's better to be prepared for any eventuality," Merced said.
To be specifically guarded, Merced said, is the Burgos Public Cemetery along Burgos Street in Barangay Villamonte where thousands of people flock into the area.
He said the traffic along Burgos Street will also be taken cared of.
Merced also ordered tight security in private cemeteries in the city where some of the well-off personalities including politicians are set to visit their departed loved ones.
These include the Rolling Hills Memorial Park and Bacolod Chinese Cemetery in Barangay Estefania; Bacolod Memorial Park in Alijis; Sacred Heart Cemetery in Sum-ag and Rose Lawn Memorial Park in Barangay Bata.
Merced also warned the public to be wary of pickpocket, cellphone snatching, bag slashing, among other petty crimes while they are in the cemeteries.
Franco, on the other hand, advised people to also secure their houses before leaving for the cemeteries to keep members of "Akyat Bahay" from stealing their valuables.
"Let's be on alert even on holidays," Franco and Merced appealed to the public.(EASD)
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