Jail for candle thieves

Children beware!

Stealing of candles at the cemetery during the observation of All Saints Day and All Souls day might land you in jail based on a directive released by the Regional Police Office yesterday.

The directive, signed by Regional Operation and Plans Division Chief Carmelo Valmoria, also prohibits the selling and buying of used candles.

Dated October 30, the directive pointed out that children "are emboldened to scavenge or steal unattended candles in the cemeteries" so these could be sold to home-based candle makers.

The directive actually stemmed from a complaint by a Quezon City native that was filed months ago asking the PNP hierarchy to act on the matter that is evident during All Souls day.

Valmoria ordered police operatives to coordinate with barangay officials and other force multiplier so as to prevent the theft of used candles in cemeteries.

He added that should there be a need, persons involved in stealing and buying of these candles must be arrested and should be charged with theft or of violation of the anti-fencing law. As early as yesterday, the city police already implemented "Oplan Kalag kalag" in anticipation of the people, who would troop to the cemeteries earlier than usual because of the long holiday.

A heightened alert was already in effect yesterday and city ordinances such as anti-noise and anti-illegal gambling are fully implemented in various cemeteries along with the liquor ban.

City police officer in-charge Mariano Natuel yesterday said the situation in various cemeteries was still normal and the number of people was still highly manageable.

He said it is expected that a large number of people would troop to the cemeteries today and tomorrow, because there is already work during All Soul's day on Wednesday.

But according to Natuel, as what have been planned policemen were already fielded in various cemeteries by noontime yesterday with the Mabolo and Waterfront Police stations getting augmentation from other units due to their proximity to several cemeteries.

This is because the Mabolo police cover Queen City Memorial Gardens, Cabantan and Cebu Memorial Park, while cemeteries such as Carreta, Chinese, Doña Pepang and Ludo are within the jurisdiction of Waterfront Police.

Last Friday, 35 members of the Regional Mobile Group were given to the city police office as additional personnel, but Natuel is still waiting for the approval of their request for 100 policemen as augmentation.

Earlier, acting city director Melvin Gayotin, who is on leave for a month, requested for 100 RMG personnel as augmentation in time for the coming Christmas holidays to prevent the rise in street crimes.

Natuel said, he was making another request for augmentation from the regional headquarters, as there was no clear feedback yet on the earlier request.

Meanwhile Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch Chief Paul Labra said although there are no reports on possible terrorist attacks or robbery groups that might sabotage the celebrations, they are still bracing for any eventuality.

He said visibility patrols are intensified to prevent occurrence of "akyat bahay" incidents since these are expected to happen as people would leave there respective houses to be in the cemeteries. - Ryan P. Borinaga