PAGADIAN
CITY, Zamboanga del Sur, Oct. 29 (PNA) – The Philippine National Police (PNP)
has adopted tight security measures, dubbed as Oplan Kaluluwa, to ensure the
solemn and peaceful observance of the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day in
this province.
Senior
Supt. Sofronio Ecaldre, provincial PNP director, on Saturday told the Philippines
News Agency that the implementation of Oplan Kaluluwa takes effect Sunday, Oct.
30, until Thursday, Nov. 3.
Ecaldre
said policemen would be stationed in public and private cemeteries and were
tasked to conduct visibility patrols in all public places to thwart any
possible disturbance by lawless elements.
There
are six cemeteries in this city alone. These included four private, one public
and one Chinese cemeteries.
This
province comprises of one city and 26 municipalities. Each of the towns has their
respective public and private cemeteries.
Ecaldre
said that troops from the Army’s First Infantry Division would augment the PNP
forces in providing security for the peaceful observance of All Saints’ Day and
All Souls’ Day.
He said
the soldiers would man the checkpoints along the highways and roads leading to
the cemeteries.
In this
city, Supt. Michael Palermo, local police chief, has tapped the assistance of
the village watchmen (barangay tanods) for traffic management leading to the
cemeteries.
Palermo
said that Provincial Public Safety Battalion policemen and troops from the
Army’s 53rd Infantry Battalion will conduct mobile patrols as well as secure
public places like public markets, department stores, seaport and bus terminal.
He said
the bringing of bladed weapons, firearms, intoxicating drinks, playing cards,
flammable materials and sound system into the cemeteries is prohibited.
He
called on the public to cooperate with them since the tight security measure is
to ensure the safety of everybody.
He also urged the public to immediately report to them any presence of people acting suspiciously in their respective communities. (PNA)
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