Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has instructed units nationwide to bolster patrol operations, including in residential areas and business establishments, in preparation for the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days on November 1 and 2. The directive aims to ensure public safety as families visit cemeteries to pay respects to their deceased loved ones.
According to Philippines News Agency, Nartatez emphasized the importance of maintaining a visible police presence and collaborating with local government units and barangay officials to deter crimes such as burglary while residents are away. He urged the community to secure their homes by locking doors and windows, unplugging appliances, and notifying trusted neighbors or barangay officials of their absence. Additionally, he encouraged reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through established hotlines and social media channels.
The PNP plans to deploy approximately 31,200 officers to 5,065 cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbaria, as well as major roads from October 29 to November 3, as part of the “Undas” security operations. This effort will be reinforced by 11,700 uniformed personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Philippine Coast Guard. An additional 29,900 force multipliers, including barangay tanods, radio groups, and non-government organization volunteers, will also contribute to the security measures.
The PNP has set up 5,169 Police Assistance Desks nationwide. Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Anthony Aberin announced an upcoming full alert status starting October 31. He stated that 8,575 personnel from the five police districts, regional headquarters, regional mobile force battalion, and support units will be deployed to cemeteries, columbaria, transportation hubs, places of worship, major thoroughfares, rally convergence points, and other public areas.
Aberin also highlighted the strategic positioning of police assistance desks, inspection teams, and mobile patrols to guide the public, manage traffic flow, and provide rapid responses to emergencies.
