GMA orders PNP, AFP to ensure safe All Saints’ Day break

President Arroyo ordered law enforcement units yesterday to ensure the safety of people flocking to cemeteries in observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day next month from terrorist and criminal elements.

In a televised roundtable discussion with military and police officials aired at the state-owned NBN-4 from Malacañang, the President said protection should also be extended to houses that would be empty as many families are expected to go to the provinces during the long weekend from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1.

"We must ensure the safety of the people from criminals and terrorists during All Saints’ Day," Mrs. Arroyo said. "For our countrymen who would be going to the provinces, our policemen and barangay tanods should be there to protect the houses and commercial establishments that would be left by those who are going to the provinces."

She also directed the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to ensure that there would be no traffic jams on roads leading to major cemeteries during the break.

Present during the roundtable discussion were Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Arturo Lomibao, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Vidal Querol and the Armed Forces NCR command chief Lt. Gen. Alan Cabalquinto.

Mrs. Arroyo also directed the NCR command to assist the PNP in its "Oplan Kaluluwa" in light of terrorist threats.

Lomibao said reservists would also be tapped to help in securing the people flocking to cemeteries and to give assistance in case of emergencies.

The President said the security duties of law enforcement units under "Oplan Kaluluwa is "another face" of the military and police that the people should see.

"This is on top of their duties to ensure peace and order in society," she said.

NCRPO intelligence chief Senior Superintendent Felipe Rojas Jr., earlier said they are intensifying intelligence-gathering operations to flush out terrorists from their locations or hiding places.

"We are appealing for the public’s cooperation in the fight against terrorists by reporting to us new faces or suspicious-looking persons in their neighborhood," he said.

At least half of the 17,000-strong NCRPO would be deployed to cemeteries, especially the larger ones like the Chinese, La Loma and North cemeteries in Manila, the South Cemetery in Makati City, the Manila Memorial Cemetery in Parañaque City, and the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.

The NCRPO will raise its alert level to heightened alert on All Saints’ Day, Rojas said. Days prior to the celebration, checkpoints will be erected in critical points of Metro Manila to prevent terrorists and criminal elements from sneaking in bombs, explosives and firearms, he said.

The NCRPO would also conduct target-hardening operations in cemeteries by searching bags and packages.

He said the NCRPO would implement city ordinances to prevent people from bringing in bladed weapons, liquor and other banned items inside cemeteries.

Rojas said his men would also be monitoring the cemeteries for drug sessions and drug pushing activities.

"Our priority would be to prevent terrorist attacks but we have other operatives deployed to conduct anti-crime operations," he said.