Crime rate down during Undas, says PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The crime rate dropped by at least 57 percent during the observance of All Saints’ Day, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Citing reports from Camp Crame’s command center, PNP chief Gen. Rofoldo Azurin Jr. said the observance of Undas was relatively peaceful with no significant incidents that could disrupt people from visiting their loved ones in cemeteries and columbariums.

“Aside from minor incidents reported by different police regional offices, no significant untoward incidents were monitored nationwide,” Azurin said in a statement.

Up to 271 index crimes were recorded from Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, which is lower by 57.46 percent compared to 637 incidents recorded during the same period last year, according to Col. Redrico Maranan, PNP public information office chief.

Maranan attributed the decrease to intensified police visibility, wherein 85 percent of police personnel in all PNP stations and offices were deployed on the streets.

Azurin said police officers remain in 6,047 public assistance desks in cemeteries and memorial parks as well as in transportation hubs for the expected surge of travelers returning to urban centers from the long holiday.

He lauded partner agencies, local government units, non-governmental organizations and volunteers for helping ensure a peaceful Undas.

He said these best practices should be the PNP’s template in similar public safety operations for upcoming major public events.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) continued monitoring normal port operations in the country amid the expected influx of passengers following the observance of the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

At yesterday’s Laging Handa forum, PCG spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo said the expected overcrowding at ports did not happen and it was “normal operations” for the PCG.

Balilo said the Department of Transportation (DOTr) laid out a good system in all ports and deployed enough security and safety inspectors to ensure a smooth flow of passengers.

He said the PCG would remain under heightened alert status until tomorrow.

Balilo said they also deployed a sufficient number of personnel and equipment to help local government units affected by Severe Tropical Storm Paeng.

He said they are now focused on disaster relief operations, sending supplies to areas affected by the bad weather.

Balilo said vessels ran aground in Zamboanga, Mindoro and Batangas.

Lesson from the saints

Former Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle expressed hope that the Catholic faithful learned important lessons during the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

In a video message, Tagle said Catholics should learn lessons from the saints who died and dedicated their lives to sharing the teachings and serving God, people and the poor. – Robertzon Ramirez