PNP warns public vs. common crimes during Undas

Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Colonel Jean Fajardon on Tuesday advised the public to beware of the common crimes during the observance of Undas.

“Normally po kapag ganitong malaki iyong volume ng mga tao ay theft, salisi, at physical injury,” she said at a news conference when asked about the common crimes during All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

(Normally, when there is a huge volume of people like during this occasion, the common crimes are theft, salisi, and physical injury.)

Fajardo advised the public to take care of their belongings when traveling and visiting cemeteries. She also discouraged them from bringing big amounts of money.

Gadgets and mobile phones should not be placed inside back pockets because pick-pockets may steal them in the middle of huge crowds, according to Fajardo.

Fajardo also said liquor has been prohibited in some areas to avoid heated arguments that could lead to physical assaults during Undas.

The PNP official also reminded the public of the common prohibited items in cemeteries such as pointed items.

Fajardo also discouraged children, senior citizens, and pregnant women from visiting cemeteries for their safety, considering the expected huge crowds of people going there.

On Tuesday morning, some Filipinos started visiting cemeteries a day ahead of Undas as authorities geared up for security and traffic management in anticipation of the influx of visitors.

Yuri Naverra of Manila North Cemetery’s administration office said that around 5,000 people visited the cemetery on October 29 and 7,000 people on Tuesday, October 31 so far.

“Siguro habang lumalapit ang pagdating ng Undas, mas marami po sa ngayon kasi bukas na po talaga iyong pinaka-Undas natin,” Naverra said.

[More and more people are expected as Undas nears.]

At the Manila South Cemetery in San Andres, help desks have been set up by the local government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to respond to the concerns of visitors. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA Integrated News