PNP goes on heightened alert until November 6

MANILA, Philippines — Police units across the country are on heightened alert starting today until Monday in anticipation of the droves of people returning either to the provinces or Metro Manila after the long holiday break.

A heightened alert means at least 80 percent of the 228,000-strong police force will be available for deployment.

Col. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police (PNP) public information officer, explained yesterday that this alert status would ensure there will be enough police officers on duty to secure vacationers returning to their respective communities after the long break – the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 30 and the recent observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day or Undas.

“Inaasahan natin magsisibalikan naman ’yung mga kababayan nating nagbakasyon (We are aware that our countrymen will be returning from their vacations),” she said in an interview over Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

Fajardo said that to ensure the public’s safety, the PNP would maintain police assistance desks at airports, seaports and terminals.

She reported that the observance of Undas was relatively peaceful as there was no untoward incident recorded, except for the confiscation of prohibited items brought by people, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, in certain cemeteries.

Fajardo lauded the public for strictly following rules and regulations of cemeteries and memorial parks, noting that at least three million people trooped to cemeteries on Wednesday.

“We should also give credit to our countrymen who followed the regulations when they visited the cemeteries,” she said partly in Filipino.

Also, the Manila Cathedral is providing an online registration facility where the Catholic faithful could place the names of their dearly departed and offer mass intentions.

The Manila Cathedral said on its official Facebook page that the online registration for their mass intentions was still part of the commemoration for those who have passed on and would run until Nov. 9.

“As we celebrate the commemoration of all the faithful departed, the Manila Cathedral community will offer prayers and masses for (them) from November 1 to 9,” the post read in part.

It also said that those who “wish us to include your departed loved ones in our prayers and eucharistic celebrations, you may offer your mass intentions at the Blessed Souls Chapel of the Manila Cathedral,” where they could light votive candles for the dead.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday urged Filipinos to honor their departed loved ones by living a “meaningful life” guided by “love, forgiveness and peace.”

“I am one with the Christian faithful in the solemn observance of All Souls’ Day. May this become an opportunity for Filipino families to be together to celebrate the lives of the departed and offer earnest prayers for the salvation of their souls,” Duterte said in her All Souls’ Day message posted on her Facebook account.

Duterte, who has been in hot water over the Office of the Vice President’s P125-million confidential fund in 2022, which was spent in just 19 days, urged Filipinos to live a “meaningful” life.

“Let us honor the memories of those who have gone before us by leading more meaningful lives guided by the values of love, forgiveness, and peace,” Duterte said. — Evelyn Macairan, Elizabeth Marcelo