SECURITY measures for the observance of the All Saints and All Souls Day are in place, officials said.

The security plan was finalized last Wednesday in a meeting spearheaded by Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Director Amador Corpus, Task Force Zamboanga (TFZ) chief Santiago Baluyut and Mayor Celso Lobregat.

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Corpus said he is deploying at least 110 uniformed personnel for security and traffic measures on all roads leading to the public and private cemeteries within this city's seven-kilometer radius.

The deployment is on top of the police personnel coming from the 11 police stations of this city's police command, Corpus said.

Baluyut said military personnel will be deployed in strategic places to help ensure law and order during All Saints and All Souls Day.

Lobregat has ordered this city's traffic aides to render work on All Saints and All Souls Day in close coordination with the traffic division of the local police.

Lobregat said the City Health Office will be in charge of the health aspect of the entire "Undas" operation by deploying health teams in all cemeteries.

He said some roads are declared one way going to the cemeteries and billboards signboards will also be set up for public guidance.

He said parking spaces will also be provided depending on the availability of areas in each cemetery.

Lobregat issued Executive Order No. 293 banning bladed weapons, firearms and other similar items inside the cemetery premises including the bringing, selling and drinking of liquor inside all cemeteries.

Other prohibited acts are the putting up of the temporary stalls and the selling of food, beverages, candles and other items within the 20-meter space leading to the entrances of the cemeteries to ensure free and unhampered flow of vehicular and human traffic.

Likewise EO 293 prohibits the playing of loud music from radio, stereo cassettes or communicating through microphones, any type of gambling and the use of firecrackers.

Lobregat said violators of the Executive Order will be conducted to the nearest police stations for investigation and filing suits, if so warranted, under existing laws and ordinances or the imposition of fines as the case may be. (Bong Garcia)