DILG: Over 27,000 cops to secure Undas

Over 27,000 police officers will be deployed to secure the observance of Undas, or All Saints' and All Souls' Days this weekend, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla.

- Romina Cabrera, Emmanuel Tupas, Rudy Santos, Ed Amoroso, Artemio Dumlao, John Unson, Evelyn Macaira

Remulla said police officers would be deployed nationwide to heighten police visibility and provide assistance and security for the public who will be visiting their departed loved ones.

He tasked local government units to convene their peace and order councils to ensure the safety and security of those who will flock to cemeteries, memorial parks and churches in their localities.

"They are also expected to mobilize and deploy traffic enforcers, barangay tanods, Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams, medical personnel and other force multipliers within the vicinity of the said places," Remulla said.

He added that both the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) would provide necessary assistance to local police.

The head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government urged the public to practice vigilance against criminals and scammers who may take advantage of the holidays.

“In this important time of commemorating our departed loved ones, let us be careful and vigilant,” Remulla said.

As this developed, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) expressed readiness to assist motorists who will travel to provinces for Undas.

The LTO-National Capital Region (NCR) said it would deploy 458 enforcers as part of Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2024 to manage the anticipated surge in travelers and vehicles this weekend.

LTO-NCR director Roque Verzosa III said they hope to mitigate the risk of road crashes and the expected heavy traffic.

Heightened alert

Police units across the country went on heightened alert ahead of the observance of Undas, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered the raising of the alert status, which means that 75 percent of the 232,000-strong police force is readily available for deployment.