Police ordered to map out 'Undas' security plans early

MANILA. Top police officials hold a press conference on September 14, 2020. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo)
MANILA. Top police officials hold a press conference on September 14, 2020. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo)

THE Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid Shield has ordered police commanders to coordinate with their local government units in mapping out security measures for the observation of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2 amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, said this will allow both the police and the LGUs to plan early against mass gatherings.

He said this will also enable the public to plan ahead their visit to the graves of their deceased family members.

“We in the Joint Task Force Covid Shield respect the Filipino tradition of honoring their departed loved ones. But this should be done in a way that will not compromise the health safety of our kababayan,” Eleazar said.

“That is why early preparation is necessary in order to give the LGUs, the local police and other concerned agencies an ample time to come up with the best plan that will serve as a middle ground between the effort of the government to protect the people from infection and respecting our Undas tradition,” he added.

Some LGUs have already ordered the closure of all cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaries from October 31 to November 3 in order to prevent mass gatherings.

PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan said he supports the closure of the cemeteries to ensure the safety of the people against Covid-19 but he noted that it still depends on the discretion of the local government officials especially in areas with high cases of Covid-19.

He said it is important that health protocols such as wearing of face masks and social distancing are observed if the public is allowed to visit the cemeteries.

Cascolan urged the public to stay at home.

“Try to come up with innovations. You can pray in your home already hindi ba? Nasanay nga tayo ‘yung iba hindi nagmimisa pero nagdarasal tama. Ibig sabihin we are coming up already with a lot of things that is not normal before but it becomes a new normal,” he said. (SunStar Philippines)

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