Observance of ‘Undas’ generally peaceful – PNP chief

An elderly woman (with umbrella at right) and her grandson prepare to leave after laying flowers, lighting candles and praying at the grave of their departed loved one at the Loyola Memorial Park in Barangay Tañong, Marikina City on All Saints’ Day (Nov. 1, 2016). (Photo: Joey Razon/PNA)

MANILA – The traditional observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day was “generally peaceful” and orderly.

PNP chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa made this assessment on Wednesday as he took note of reports from the Police Regional Offices (PROs) that indicated no serious untoward incidents and security concerns as the four-day weekend holiday ended on Tuesday.

“I extend the congratulations of President (Rodrigo) Duterte and DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) Secretary Mike Sueno to all police and military units, and participating government agencies, and civic organizations for the orderly and uneventful outcome of the national holiday.”

The PNP chief was kept posted of the prevailing nationwide situation in real time thru the PNP National Operations Center (NOC) and the Situation Monitoring Room at the National Headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Aside from the perennial traffic congestion and crowding in roads leading to public cemeteries and memorial parks, mostly minor infractions and violations of local ordinances that prohibit gambling, loud music, alcoholic beverages, flammable substances and deadly weapons inside cemeteries, the PNP NOC noted four separate untoward incidents nationwide.

These separate untoward incidents include PRO-3’s alarm and scandal, and stabbing incidents; illegal gambling in PRO 9; and a vehicular incident in PRO 10.

The 160,000-strong PNP, with 81,597 deployed in cemeteries and 28,285 deployed as road safety marshalls, remains on nationwide full alert condition for the Halloween holiday and established a total of 14,973 Police Assistance Desks (PADs) since October 28.

Strict enforcement of security measures and local ordinances resulted in the confiscation of 37 bladed weapons, eight bottles of liquor and 580 prohibited items based on information gathered by the PNP NOC.

Dela Rosa instructed all PROs and NSUs (National Support Units) to remain in their posts to extend assistance to travellers and motorists returning to the urban centers from the provinces.

“Our job is not yet complete until all travellers and motorists have returned home safely,” he said.