PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa said on Monday, November 4 that the three-day Undas weekend was generally peaceful with no untoward incident recorded across the country.
“Police law enforcement and public safety operations for the traditional observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day culminated at midnight last night with no significant untoward incident reported in all 17 regions of the country,” he said in a press conference in Camp Crame.
“The PNP National Operations Center reported generally peaceful situation during the three-day Undas holiday, particularly at the height of the observance of the feast of the dead in public cemeteries and memorial parks,” he added.
All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2, collectively known as Undas among the Tagalog, were declared special non-working holidays.
Gamboa said the PNP confiscated eight firearms in separate law enforcement operations in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Caraga and Cordillera regions.
He said a case of stolen motorcycle was reported in Central Luzon during the Undas weekend while two cases of possession of illegal drugs were reported in Metro Manila and Eastern Visayas.
A total of 4,491 prohibited items particularly inside the cemeteries, including 3,361 bladed or pointed weapons and instruments, 977 alcoholic beverages, 71 assorted gambling paraphernalia and 76 karaoke machines were confiscated by the police.
However, Gamboa said police forces particularly those manning Police Assistance Centers along national highways and major thoroughfares and public transportation terminals were instructed to remain in their posts to provide assistance to travelers returning from vacation.
“The police security and public safety template applied in Undas serves as dry run for upcoming national events such as the SEA Games and the much bigger traditional extended Yuletide Season,” he said.
The Philippines will host the 30th Southeast Asian Games on November 30 to December 11. (SunStar Philippines)