News
Cops remain on alert to assist post-Undas travelers
FILE: INSPECTION. A police officer of the Manila Police District (MPD) inspects personal belongings of visitors entering the Manila North Cemetery on Friday (Nov.
1, 2019). The Philippine National Police earlier raised its status to full alert to secure the annual observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA — Despite the peaceful conclusion of Undas 2019 (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day), Philippine National Police (PNP) Officer-in-Charge, Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa ordered all police officers to remain at their posts and assist vacationists who spent their Undas weekend in the provinces.
This instruction was prompted by field reports of influx of people returning back to Metro Manila via land, sea and air transportation.
“PNP units manning Police Assistance Centers along national highways, major thoroughfares and public transportation hubs are under instructions to remain in their posts to provide continuous assistance to motorists and commuters returning to the urban centers from the long weekend holiday,” Gamboa told reporters in a press briefing Monday.
He said 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.
“The PNP National Operations Center reported a 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,” Gamboa said.
“We bring it back to the community. I think they saw that the police are there and they cooperated.
As I have always said, the PNP cannot do it alone. We really need the cooperation of the community and this is the result — big participation came from the community,” Gamboa explained.
He said police security forces confiscated eight firearms in separate law enforcement operations in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Western Visayas, Caraga and Cordillera regions.
A case of motorcycle theft was reported in Central Luzon while two cases of possession of illegal drugs were reported in Metro Manila and Eastern Visayas.
A total of 4,491 prohibited items were confiscated consisting of 3,361 bladed/pointed weapons and instruments, 977 alcoholic beverages,71 assorted gambling paraphernalia and 76 karaoke/videoke machines.
Gamboa said the police security and public safety template applied in Undas serves as a dry run for upcoming national events such as the SEA Games and the much bigger Yuletide season.
