CEBU, Philippines - Except for a scuffle between vendors at the Carreta Cemetery and a few bladed weapons recovered, no major incidents were reported in Cebu’s major cities and 44 towns even as roads and cemeteries were full of people celebrating the All Saints’ Day.
Chiefs of police and local government leaders in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu and Talisay as well as the provincial police commander all agreed that the first of the two-day November celebration proceeded without major hitches.
With the security measures well in place ahead of schedule, police reported an orderly and peaceful celebration in Cebu City and all other areas in Cebu.
Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe made rounds at the five major cemeteries in the city to check on the observance of the All Saints Day.
“We have improved our security measures this year to ensure the safety of everyone,” Buenafe said. He deployed a sufficient number of policemen in every cemetery to patrol the areas 24 hours.
They also installed 18 close-circuit televisions (CCTVs) in the five major cemeteries in Cebu City - at Carreta, Calamba, Cempark, Queen City Gardens, and Pardo. The cameras helped them monitor the activities better as the video footages were seen at the Police Regional Office 7 and at the CCPO Operations Branch.
Chief Insp. Wildemar Tiu, who heads CCPO operations Branch, said they have a better view this year compared to last year’s four cameras.
Approximately 20,000 people entered Cempark alone yesterday, 10,000 in Queen City Gardens, 5,000 each in Calamba and Cabantan cemeteries, and at most 800 people in Pardo.
As of yesterday afternoon, Tiu said police recovered fewer deadly weapons such as scissors and chisels which are supposedly used in cleaning tombs, compared to last year.
This is because the public has been well informed already, police said. Tiu said they also recovered lesser bottles of intoxicating liquor this year, including those disguised in thermos and tumblers.
“Simhuton g’yud kay maro na ang uban ‘ron. Since kahibaw na sila nga ipagbawal, ipangsud na man hinuon sa mga termos ang mga ilimnon,” Tiu said. (Some put liquor in thermos bottles knowing that these are banned, but our policemen smell the contents so these are still confiscated.)
Covert policemen were also deployed inside the cemeteries. They expect a larger volume of people to flock the cemeteries today in observance of the All Souls Day.
Meanwhile, Medardo Batiller, operations head of the Emergency Rescue Unit Foundation (ERUF), said dehydration were the usual cases they encountered yesterday owing to the very hot weather. He advised the public, especially those who will stay at the cemeteries today, to eat and drink more water.
Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama praised the police and the barangay officials for doing a good job. He visited the cemeteries in Cebu City yesterday to monitor situation.
“I told them the entrance must always be in the right side. So akong gipang-usab,” Rama said. But this caused a brief commotion at the Carreta Cemetery where vendors of flowers and candles rushed to the other side and fought over space near the new entrance.
Police rushed to stop two women in a catfight after one of them refused to give way.
Cecilia Gintalian said Elel Opsiquias was forcing herself to put a table along the new entrance but she could not move since she will already be blocking the entrance to a mausoleum behind.
“Wala man sya’y labot unta sa gipabalhin ni Kap kay wala man naapiki iyang tindahan pagbalhin sa entrance,” Gintalian, said showing her bruises. (She was not supposed to be among those the barangay captain asked to transfer.)
Some vendors criticized Rama for imposing the changes late.
“Nganong karon pa man sad sya niari diri. Katong petsa 29 pa unta sya niari para napahimutang daan ang mga tindera. Magpatyanay gyud baya ni diri sa pwesto,” one vendor said. (Why did the mayor came here only now and changed things? He could have come here on the 29th.)
Meanwhile, Rama said he ordered the administrators of the cemetery and the Department of Public Services to make sure the cemeteries will be cleaned up by tomorrow.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza wants more policemen to be deployed in the streets today. She issued the verbal order to Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief, Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas.
“I want the police to ensure that this four-day vacation will continue to be peaceful and safe to visitors who come to the city for leisure and vacation and for the Oponganons who go to the cemetery to visit their beloved ones,” said Radaza.
In Mandaue City, police also did not meet any report of crimes. Aside from the barangay tanods, volunteer groups like Guardians also assisted the police.
Chief Inspector Jimmy Aquizanda, ground commander of the Mandaue Police Office assigned to supervise personnel at the cemetery, thanked the people for cooperating.
At the cemeteries in Talisay City, police station chief Supt. Eddie Recamara saw only the vendors blocking the entrances to the cemeteries as their problem.
“Gikan sa buntag ug hangtud pagka-udto wala kita’y problemang nasugatan diha sulod sa mga sementeryo sa Talisay pero diha sa karsada paingon ngadto sa publikong sementeryo sa Poblacion ang mga vendor maoy atong problema kay halos nag-ali na kini diha sa agianan,” Recamara said. (We had no problem inside the cemeteries, only at the gates and the roads leading to them which were blocked mostly by vendors.)
As early as 6 a.m. yesterday, the police conducted a dry-run where ambulance from the Talisay Rescue Emergency Action Team (TREAT) and a police patrol car passed the area in cases of emergency.
Around Cebu province, Senior Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador said everything was peaceful as he monitored southern and northern towns. All chiefs of police are required to submit their situation report every two hours.
Comendador said there were only minor vehicular accidents involving motorcycles. Early morning yesterday, some areas in Naga City and in the town of Liloan were congested but the traffic eased by midday.
Comendador deployed one more team of policemen from the CPPO headquarters yesterday at the Cebu South Bus Terminal upon seeing the influx of passengers.
Supt. Julian Entoma, deputy provincial director for operation, told The FREEMAN that eight area supervisors are in place and helping in monitoring the personnel deployed. —Jessica R. Pareja, Niña G. Sumacot, Garry B. Lao, Ria Y. Booc, Jose P. Sollano/JPM