To control crowd: Cops in cemeteries

CEBU, Philippines — Starting Saturday, September 26, police and force multipliers will be deployed in the cemeteries in Cebu City to ensure that crowds are being regulated and controlled.

"Suma sa atong pakighinabi sa mga administrators o managers, sailang pag-obserbar, nakita nato nga karong mga September 26, mosugod na gyud og sud ang daghan-daghan ug baga nga moduaw sailang mga minahal nga departed ones," Mayor Edgardo Labella said yesterday.

Labella, together with the city officials, met yesterday with both private and public cemetery administrators in preparation for the "Kalag-Kalag."

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the mayor earlier issued an executive order imposing a temporary closure of all public and private cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaries within the city from October 30 to November 3, 2020.

The cemeteries will be open from September 26 to October 29 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., but with limitations in addition to the minimum health requirements-- wearing of face mask, observing social distancing, and prohibiting mass gathering, among others.

Labella said only 30 percent of the total capacity of the cemetery will be allowed in one setting.

"Of course, ang primary purpose gyud nato nga malikayan gyud ang pagkatap sa coronavirus," said Labella.

He added selling of food inside the cemetery will be prohibited. There will also be a liquor ban.

"We directed the police to be very strict in prohibiting any stall or any kan-anan diha sa sulod... Gidili gyud ang pagkaon sulod sa sementeryo kay usa sa nakita nato nga hinungdan nga muspread ang virus kani bitaw pagspread sa droplets sa pagkaon so strikto gyud ta ana. Dili gyud na," said Labella.

Online Mass

Labella also mentioned that they will also study the possibility of conducting a mass inside the cemetery with only a priest and two altar boys in the venue, which is to be shown online, on November 2-- one in the morning and one in the afternoon.

He is set to issue an executive order embodying all the guidelines during this period.

Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, Police Regional Office-7 director, appealed for public cooperation in observing the standard health protocols in line with the Oplan Kalag-Kalag.

He also urged them to comply with 30 percent limitation on cemetery capacity.

"We will be monitoring the observance of the IATF guidelines, which say that is the cemetery will be closed from 29 to the 4th of November," said Ferro.

"Ato lang hangyo sa mga kaigsuonan diri sa Central Visayas nga we observe the health standards like the use of facemask at all times, especially dira sa atong mga minteryo, sa atong mga memorials, and we should observe social distancing and frequent disinfection of our hands," he added.

In Cebu City, PRO-7 will be deploying the Crisis Response Battalion at cemeteries as the regular quarantine control points all around the strategic areas are still functioning.

In line with this, the usual augmentation of police outposts and desks inside the cemeteries will still be there during the allotted days for visitation.

"But at the same time karon, butangan nato og police nga nag-maintain sa peace and order aron sa mga mobisita sa minteryo," said Ferro.

Assistance

Meanwhile, at least 465 individuals making a living in the cemetery were already identified by the city government to avail of the assistance to be provided by the city.

Labella said they will be provided with 25 kilos of rice.

These individuals are those who will be affected by the cemetery closure order of the mayor. — Iris Hazel M. Mascardo, JMD