LEGAZPI CITY – The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5 (Bicol) has put in place all necessary security measures for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2, its head said on Wednesday.
In a media briefing, PRO-5 Director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said they are implementing the “Bicol Shield” to ensure a safe and peaceful “Undas” celebration so people could visit cemeteries and columbaria to remember their departed loved ones.
“The Bicol Shield was implemented, which means police assistance desks, motorists assistance centers, and checkpoints, and the deployment of our personnel in all cemeteries, churches, transport terminals, and major highways to provide crime prevention and police visibility,” Dizon said.
He said they want the public to feel safe and secure during the celebration, ensuring that police presence is being felt on the ground.
“For those cemeteries affected by flood, our police personnel will get the guidance of their local chief executives on what will be implemented. The public is assured that the PNP (Philippine National Police) is just around to serve and protect them,” he said.
Dizon also reminded the public to go to the cemeteries as early as possible and make sure that small children have proper identification tags to prevent them from getting lost in the crowd.
“The police will inspect belongings brought by persons when visiting their departed relatives at the cemetery, particularly for bladed weapons,” he added.
In a report, Col. Nelson Pacalso, PRO-5 operations division chief, said 4, 622 police personnel would be deployed to the six provinces and one component city in the region.
“The deployment will concentrate on cemeteries and terminals since we are expecting the arrival of passengers, particularly from Metro Manila, who will visit their departed loved ones,” he said.
Pacalso noted that they are monitoring 306 public, private, and Chinese cemeteries in Bicol.
“A total of 282 police assistance desks, 125 motorist assistance centers, and 932 augmentations from other uniformed personnel are ready to assist the public,” he added. (PNA)