CEBU, Philippines - The celebration of All Saints Day yesterday was generally peaceful with no major untoward incident reported.
Sr. Supt. Patrocinio Comendador, director of the Cebu City Police Office, said that it seems the people have also learned as they have confiscated fewer bladed weapons and alcoholic beverages at the entrance of cemeteries.
“Normal ang dagan sa mga panghitabo diri. Hapsay ang palibot,” Comendador said after inspecting five cemeteries — Carreta, Queen City Gardens, Calamba, Pardo, and Cempark.
As expected, more people flocked to the different cemeteries in the afternoon to pay respects to their departed loved ones, but the police detailed inside and around the vicinity of the cemeteries were prepared for it, Comendador said.
Most of the police force, assisted by barangay tanods and other barangay officials, were stationed at the entrance of the cemeteries for the possible seizure of bladed weapons, intoxicating beverages, and sound systems, which are prohibited items.
As observed, fewer bladed weapons were seized this time compared to the previous year.
“People have learned na man gud. They are used to the idea na bawal nang mga butanga sulod sa sementeryo,” Comendador said as he noted the decrease in the number of bladed items confiscated and that only a bottle of beer was held at the checkpoints.
Last Saturday evening, a man was however arrested at the Chinese cemetery in Carreta after firing his gun.
Comendador said that the incident was due to a personal grudge.
Luckily, nobody was hurt in that incident.
Talisay Cops On Alert
Not wanting to put their guard down, the Talisay City police have been patrolling the four cemeteries in their jurisdiction since Saturday.
Supt. Henry Biñas, city police chief, said at least eight police personnel are already deployed at each of the city’s public cemeteries while a group of four are now securing each of the two private cemeteries in their area to ensure peace and order.
There may be no threats of security at these public places, but with the thousands of people expected to cram the cemeteries, police always “expect for the worst” in situations like these, said Biñas.
He said that they are now keep a cloe watch on fraternities, who might create trouble noting that most cases in their city are fraternity-related.
“Ang kining mga frat mao ni atung gibantayan, mao man ni sila magda og kagubot,” said Biñas.
Biñas assured that they have enough personnel to help them maintain peace and order and have assigned his personnel to work on shifts to make sure that policemen would be available 24 hours a day.
The city police force has been provided 16 more men by the Regional Mobile Group, and the city has also tapped the members of the Talisay City Intelligence Branch, tasked to do patrolling in crowded areas.
Police are also frisking all individuals who come inside the cemeteries and are confiscating “deadly weapons” and alcoholic drinks.
The city police chief also advised everyone to report to the authorities if they see suspicious people roaming around the cemetery.
Although the incident took place 21 years ago, the grenade throwing incident at the Talisay cemetery in 1988 killing seven people and injuring 40 others. — Niña Sumacot and Liv Campo/NLQ (THE FREEMAN)