ABOUT two thousand police personnel in the region will be deployed to beef up security in the six provinces of Cordillera region on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.
Chief Superintendent Rolando Nana, Police Regional Office – Cordillera (PRO-COR) regional director, said a total of 1,894 police officers will be deployed to 173 cemeteries, churches, transport terminals, and other key areas in the region under Oplan Undas.
An additional 3,238 force multipliers composed of members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT) and volunteers will be tapped.
In Baguio City alone, 584 PNP personnel and 686 force multipliers will be deployed. In Benguet province, 258 police officers and 677 force multipliers have been assigned for the duration of Undas.
Nana added as the need arises, standby PNP personnel from the Regional Headquarters will be ready to be deployed anytime.
The security forces will provide public safety, security, and other contingency measures in coordination with the other law enforcement agencies, local government units (LGUs), non-government and other volunteer organizations.
Nana said he will inspect cemeteries and bus terminals in the region, especially in Baguio City and Benguet, where thousands of travelers are expected to converge during the long weekend.
All cell sites and towers will be secured to prevent possible attacks by rebels.
Major cemeteries to be visited in Baguio City will be the Baguio Public Cemetery, Baguio Memorial Cemetery at Naguilian Road, Heaven’s Garden Memorial Park and Everlasting/Pyramid Cemetery in Kias, Baguio City.
In Benguet, police will visit the Buyagan Pyramid Cemetery.
All major transportation hubs and big commercial centers will be inspected to ensure safe and secure Undas 2018.
Nana appealed to the public to support and cooperate with the police by complying with all security protocols so as to ensure their security and safety.
“The public is once again discouraged to bring any bladed objects, liquor, portable radio stereo components and other prohibited items since these would be confiscated by the policemen who will be very strict in checking belongings brought by people to the cemeteries on October 31, November 1 and 2, 2018,” Nana said.