POLICE in Benguet’s capital town started its security preparations to ensure a peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Police Major Roldan Cabatan, La Trinidad Municipal Police Station chief, said security planning and preparation are in place for the expected influx of visitors and residents for all Saints and All Souls Day next week.
“We will be deploying police personnel including barangay peacekeeping action team, community coordinating activities team (CCAT), volunteers to support in the upcoming commemoration of the departed souls,” he added.
The police chief explained there are nine concern cemeteries located in different in barangays of La Trinidad, a neighboring town of Baguio City.
Ambiong cemetery has 300 estimated number of tombs, 375 in Lubas, Shamolog with 425, Tawang with 200, Bahong with 450, Poblacion with 350, Pyramid cemetery with 1,750 and Buyagan and Veterans cemetery the highest with 2,500.
For cemetery goers, the chief of police advised prohibited materials not allowed inside the cemetery include guns, sharp weapons and liquor.
Police personnel will be designated in the different cemeteries with corresponding supervisors to protect the visitors and stakeholders.
Taking cue in the previous years, rerouting will be implemented along Buyagan while medical, disaster risk reduction and management office services will also be tapped.
Filipinos traditionally visit the tombs and graves of their departed relatives and spend the day cleaning and repairing tombs on or before November 1, All Saints Day or Undas.
President Rodrigo Duterte thru proclamation No. 555 declared November 1, All Saints Day and November 2 as special non-working days.