THE observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days in Bacolod this year was generally peaceful, with no major incidents reported in various cemeteries and memorial parks, police official said.
Police Lieutenant Ariel Pico, spokesperson of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said yesterday that there were no recorded crime incidents especially in the eight focus crimes, but the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) recorded only two minor traffic accidents from October 31 to November 3.
He said more than 500 policemen were deployed to various cemeteries, both public and private, including the bus terminals and sea ports to maintain the peace and order.
He added BTAO also deployed more than 100 traffic enforcers to the cemeteries to ensure the smooth flow of traffic.
Pico noted the station commanders had tapped the assistance of force multipliers and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team to conduct roving patrol within their areas of jurisdiction.
BCPO also deployed personnel to different Police Assistance Desk (PAD) in 12 cemeteries in Bacolod.
Executive Assistant Ernesto Pineda, chief coordinator of Market Coordinating and Monitoring Task Force, said the flower vendors are only allowed to sell at the Bacolod public plaza and Burgos public cemetery until November 2.
“After the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days, they should vacate the area,” he said.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier issued Memorandum 136, dated October 25, directing Pineda to monitor, assist and facilitate the implementation and regulation of the flower vendors in said areas from October 30 to November 2.
He said he was directed by the mayor to coordinate with the City Legal Office (CLO), Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), BTAO to ensure proper implementation and regulation of cemeteries and plaza.
He added the Department of Public Services (DPS) and General Services Office (GSO) were also tasked to maintain cleanliness and regulate facilities inside and outside the premises of the cemetery during the celebration.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) spokesperson Police Major Edison Garcia, also noted no records of any crime committed inside the cemetery premises in the different local government units in Negros Occidental.
Garcia pointed out heightened security in places of convergence served as a deterrence.
He however noted one major accident in Bago City last November 1, wherein three people were killed and many were injured.