Around 12,000 police officers deployed for Undas

October 27, 2020

Around 12,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide for the observance of Undas, the commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) Shield said on Tuesday.

During the Laging Handa press briefing, Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar said police officers are being assisted by force multipliers to secure the public as cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria will be closed from October 29 to November 4.

"We had coordination with our local commanders in LGU (local government units)… while it is true that (cemeteries) were close starting from October 29 until November 4, days before (and) after that until November 15 they can still make a visit,” Eleazar said.

“We will deploy 12,000 cops in cemeteries and columbaria in the entire Philippines… including the force multiplier. Around 17,000 will secure the public to make sure that they will follow the health protocols,” he added.

According to Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, told police commanders to make sure cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria follow quarantine rules, as the early All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day commemorations start and people flock to cemeteries ahead of the October 29 closure.

He directed all police units to enforce strictly minimum health and safety standard protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields and observing physical distancing to those going to cemeteries early.

“The local police commanders and the mayors by now should have discussed the rules that would be implemented per locality but all these local rules that would be crafted should conform to the guidelines set by the IATF,” he said.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major General Debold Sinas said they are expecting more visitors on October 28 but he told the public that they will be strict starting October 29.

"We are expecting an increase in the number of visitor (before closure)… but on (October) 29, that’s absolute, we will not allow anyone to enter,” Sinas said.

Based on the IATF guidelines, the number of visitors in cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria shall be limited to only 30 percent of the venue’s capacity and all those entering are following the health protocols. Ella Dionisio/DMS