MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Sunday ordered the Manila Police District to field enough policemen to the city’s biggest cemeteries to maintain peace and order during the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
He gave the order following the recent arrest of a suspected member of the Maute terrorist group in Quezon City.
At the same time, Estrada assured the public there was nothing to worry about since the police had not monitored any potential terror threats that could disrupt the long holiday up to the Asean Summit in November.
“The public, including those visiting the cemeteries, need not be concerned on their safety. Police and other government security units are protecting us,” Estrada said citing the assurances of Metro Manila Police Chief Oscar Albayalde.
Meanwhile, the prices of flowers have started to go up in the Dangwa flower market in Manila due to the coming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
Reports said some prices had even doubled, and that the vendors in Dangwa were hoping that sales would start picking up starting Wednesday, All Saints’ Day.
Estrada said the 4,600-strong city police force had been implementing its security measures since Saturday, Oct. 28.
MPD Chief Joel Coronel said an initial contingent of 750 policemen had been deployed since yesterday at the city’s four big cemeteries: The 54-hectare Manila North Cemetery in Sta. Cruz, La Loma Catholic Cemetery, Manila Chinese Cemetery and Manila South Cemetery, which is located in Makati City but still part of the territory of Manila.
From 750 men, 550 more”•or a total of 1,300 policemen”•will be fielded come Nov. 1. Those do not include an additional 300 who will be deployed to the bus stations and major transport terminals in the city
“We have already deployed advance personnel in the different areas in the cemeteries in Manila North, Manila South, La Loma and the Chinese Cemetery,” Coronel said in a recent interview.