70,000 expected to visit Libingan ng mga Bayani

MANILA, Philippines - The Army reported yesterday that at least 70,000 people are expected to visit the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on All Saints’ Day on Tuesday.

Acting Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc said the military is preparing for the influx of people to the heroes’ cemetery.

“The administrator of the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the only military burial site in the country, is wrapping up preparations for the influx of visitors who will visit their loved ones during the occasion of All Saints’ Day,” he added.

Col. Amor Agpalo, commander of the Army’s Grave Service Unit, said they have been preparing for the influx of visitors since last week. The unit is tasked to oversee all activities held inside the burial facility.

“It is my responsibility to ensure that this 117-hectare facility is well-maintained. My soldiers and civilian employees are now wrapping up preparations for the upcoming observance of All Saints’ Day,” he said.

Agpalo said troopers are cleaning the marble crosses, pruning trees, repainting concrete crosses, road curves and gutters, cutting grasses and bushes and installing streetlights.

Cabunoc said the Bureau of Corrections also sent 40 prisoners, who are candidates for parole, to assist in the cleaning operations.

He said Army chief Lt. Gen. Arturo Ortiz ordered the construction of four new chapels and a mortuary this year to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who died for the country.

The Army will also set up a public assistance and information center to help the visitors locate the graves of their loved ones.

“We want to help our visitors in the best manner as possible. There will be tents and portalets to be installed in strategic locations, as well as first aid stations and garbage collection points,” Cabunoc said.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal troops and medics will also be deployed from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 to ensure the safety of visitors.

“Due to the expected large number of vehicles coming in the cemetery, traffic marshals would be deployed in various points to ensure smooth traffic flow and direct visitors to authorized parking areas,” Cabunoc said.

The Libingan ng mga Bayani serves as the burial place for Filipino soldiers and civilians regarded as heroes and martyrs. It also serves as a resting place of deceased presidents, dignitaries, national artists, scientists and boy scouts.

Among those interred in the cemetery are President Carlos P. Garcia and President Diosdado Macapagal, veterans of World War II and the Korean War and 12 Medal for Valor awardees. 

Two of the soldiers who died in the recent clash with lawless elements in Al-Barka, Basilan last Oct. 18 were also interred in the cemetery.

The two, namely 2Lt. Jose Delfin Khe and Pfc. Emerson Tugas, were given burial honors by the Army on Oct. 27 and 28 respectively.

There are 47,228 persons buried at the heroes’ cemetery.

The Southern Police District has deployed more than 1,000 policemen in the cemeteries, shopping malls, and other places of convergence in preparation for the All Saints’ Day break.

These cops will augment the SPD’s regular deployment of 1,045 men under the Police Integrated Patrol System, and the 1,720 force multipliers composed of barangay tanod and volunteers from nongovernment organizations. – With Aie Balagtas See