By el Amigo
MANILA — More than 111,000 police personnel will be deployed across the Philippines for this year’s observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day as authorities step up security measures for Undas on November 1 and 2.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the Philippine National Police (PNP) would assign 111,582 officers to help protect the public and maintain peace and order during the annual influx of cemetery visitors and holiday travelers.
Police personnel will be stationed at 5,628 cemeteries and columbaria nationwide, where large crowds are expected to gather to remember departed loved ones.
“We will deploy more than 11,000 additional personnel and nearly 32,000 force multipliers to strengthen security operations,” the agency said.
Authorities will also extend their presence to bus terminals, shopping malls, resorts, and residential areas to deter criminal activities, particularly theft, as families travel or leave their homes to observe the holidays.
The DILG and PNP called on local government units to work closely with law enforcement agencies to help ensure that Undas celebrations remain peaceful, safe, and orderly throughout the country.
ia/xf
