Iloilo City police boost cemetery security for Undas

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Iloilo City Police Office said it will strengthen security operations at four public cemeteries and several private cemeteries that traditionally draw large crowds during the observance of All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

ICPO Director Police Col. Kim Legada said particular attention will be given to congested public cemeteries in Cuartero, Molo, Tanza and Arevalo, as well as large private cemeteries such as Forest Lake, Christ the King and Green Garden.

He said the deployment of more than 1,100 uniformed personnel will depend on the number and size of cemeteries within each police station’s jurisdiction, along with the number of available entry and exit points.

“We will focus more of our personnel in the area in Station 3 and 9 because they have six cemeteries,” he said.

The ICPO will be on full alert from the evening of Oct. 29 to Nov. 3 to ensure peace, order and public safety during the holiday period.

Legada advised parents to place a piece of paper with their contact information inside their children’s pockets in case the children get lost.

Meanwhile, the Traffic and Transportation Management Office will implement temporary road closures around six cemeteries beginning Nov. 1.

These include the Catholic Cemetery in Jereos, La Paz; Cuartero in Jaro; Oñate and R. Mapa streets in Mandurriao; Tanza–Delgado and Bagumbayan streets for the Tanza Cemetery; and a portion of Yulo Drive in Arevalo.

TTMO head Uldarico Garbanzos said designated parking areas will be provided near the affected roads.

He noted that road closures will be flexible and will reopen once traffic congestion eases.

A total of 380 TTMO personnel will be deployed for traffic management operations.