Metro Manila police brace for ‘Undas,’ on full alert starting Oct. 29

NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Joel Pagdilao and Eastern Police District director Senior Superintendent Elmer Jamias. TETCH TORRES-TUPAS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

Metro Manila police will be on full alert starting Thursday morning in preparation for “Undas” or All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

Starting 6 a.m. on October 29, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) will put Metro Manila under full alert status until November 3 next week.

Full alert status means more policemen will be seen on the streets, in transportation hubs and cemeteries to ensure peace and order in convergence areas.

NCRPO spokesperson Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas said on Wednesday that when on full alert, all days off and leaves of Metro Manila cops are canceled.

“Magkakaroon ng mga police assistance hubs sa mga terminal, pier at sementeryo upang alalayan ang publiko,” Molitas said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

(There will be police assistance hubs in terminals, piers and cemeteries to assist the public.)

Millions are expected to troop to 21 major cemeteries in Manila during the Undas week.

Firefighters on alert, too

Similarly, not only policemen but also firefighters and emergency medical teams will be deployed to cemeteries to “preserve peace and order and provide medical assistance to the families who will be visiting their departed ones.”

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) also raised its alert status into heightened alert or “code blue.”

BFP chief Director Ariel Barayuga directed all regional, provincial, and municipal fire stations to establish “motorist assistance points” along major roads to assist motorists before and after the exodus for Undas.

Barayuga said this is one of BFP’s efforts to intensify its “Oplan Kaluluwa” scheme that ensures prompt and effective delivery of basic safety, rescue, and emergency medical services during the observance of All Soul’s Day and All Saints Day this week.

He also urged the public to be “extra cautious” during Undas, especially when using lighted candles.

From January to June this year, the BFP recorded 365 fire incidents caused by lighted candles while 593 similar cases were reported last year.

In case of fire, the BFP can be reached at 117 or through landline numbers of local police stations. -Julliane Love De Jesus, RAM