Observance of All Saints’ Day generally peaceful — PNP chief

By Mario J. Mallari

11/02/2009

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Jesus Verzosa yesterday declared the nationwide observance of All Saints’ Day as generally peaceful.

Verzosa made this assessment based on field reports that indicated a peaceful and orderly situation during the All Saints’ Day holiday throughout the country.

“This ideal situation of uneventful and orderly holiday celebration is the result of the vigilance of police units and the cooperation of the public,” Verzosa said.

“We are looking forward to implementing similar preventive security measures in the coming Christmas season,” the PNP chief added.

According to PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, except for the perennial vehicular and pedestrian traffic congestion in memorial parks and public cemeteries, there were no major peace and order issues that marred the observance of All Saints’ Day this year.

Verzosa commended all police personnel for the “excellent job” of providing security and public safety services to the people even as he expressed gratitude to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the non-goverment organizations volunteer groups, Local Government Units and other government agencies for extending assistance.

The PNP established 4,825 Police Assistance Centers in public cemeteries, memorial parks, churches, highways, seaports, bus terminals and resorts in different locations nationwide as part of the PNP’s nationwide security and public safety plan for the Halloween Holiday.

Police units will remain in their posts until tomorrow when people troop back to the city. He also thanked the media for helping police in informing the public of public safety and security concerns.

Verzosa said the long holiday weekend went along almost without incident, except for some reports of minor incidents.

The PNP remains on nationwide heightened alert and is anticipating the surge of motorists and commuter traffic from the provinces back to Metro Manila until today, Monday which is the last day of the three-day weekend holiday.

As of 12 noon yesterday, the National Capital Region Police Office reported the confiscation of 63 bladed weapons, one jungle bolo, one brass knuckle, one toy gun, one tear gas and one color Gameboy.

Also confiscated were 20 sets of playing cards and other gambling paraphernalia.

NCRPO chief Director Roberto Rosales said there were no reported untoward incidents inside or within the vicinities of the 84 cemeteries and columbaria in the metropolis. “We are aiming for zero crime rate and casualty during the observance,” Rosales said.

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