Police: Security in place for All Saints' Day

THERE were no untoward incidents on the eve of All Saints’ Day.

Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Jose Espino said that the security layout for major cemeteries was in place.

“We have volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross and the Cebu City Government. The Bureau of Fire Protection is also present here,” Espino said after inspecting the Carreta Cemetery in Cebu City along with Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Joel Doria.

“The CCPO already rescued the kids who were disturbing the visitors to let them be the ones to paint and clean the graves,” Espino said.

Doria said that police arrested Roel Patria, 49, for drinking inside the Queen City Memorial Garden last Monday night.

Patria will be charged with violating City Ordinance 1929 for drunkenness.

Officials from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) 7 headed by Chief Insp. Rogelio Bongabong Jr., Cebu City fire marshal, also inspected the lights installed in the graves.

The BFP 7 checked the wiring to ensure that these won’t be affected by the rain.

The public is reminded to always check their homes for any unattended candles that they might have left before leaving.

Nagiel Bañacia, Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, also advised those heading to their hometowns to double-check electronic appliances and other valuable possessions.

Bañacia said that criminals might take advantage of the holiday as most homes will be left unattended.

“Just a reminder to secure your houses before you leave for your provinces. Aside from robbers, we also have to look out for fire incidents,” he said.

Although dark clouds and heavy rain are expected to loom over the city today and tomorrow, Bañacia said the City Government is ready regardless of the weather condition.

He said that the city’s public and private cemeteries have never been flooded.

At least 197 on- and off-duty emergency responders will be fielded today and tomorrow in all private and public grave sites.

“We are prepared, rain or shine. But the public should also be extra careful, especially those who will be traveling given the bad weather,” Bañacia said.

In Talisay City, police will implement the liquor ban in the cemeteries.

Supt. Jason Villamater, city police chief, urged cemetery goers to make the two-day holiday solemn.

He also urged them not to bring sharp objects as these will be confiscated.

Cemeteries are not the only place where sharp objects are banned.

Cebu South Bus Terminal security officer Jonathan “Joy” Tumulak said bladed weapons and firearms along with refilled butane, paints and other materials that might harm passengers will not be allowed inside the facility.

He said that they’ve also put up a help desk where people can file complaints since last Friday.

They’ve also banned people from occupying bus seats and selling these to passengers.

“We can even send out the drivers, conductors and dispatchers out of the terminal if they are in cahoots,” Tumulak said.

Meanwhile, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) deployed personnel in strategic locations to prevent untoward incidents.

“The LTO is monitoring buses operating long routes, carrying passengers who are on vacation because of the holidays,” said Joel Maloloy-on, LTO 7 chief operations officer.

He warned drivers and operators to comply with the fare matrix.

“We can investigate erring bus drivers and conductors and penalize them if they are found guilty of overcharging,” he said.

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