The “punong barangay” (barangay chairman) of Lopez Jaena Sur in La Paz District, Iloilo City, who served for six years as president of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), is familiar with issues that involve students hanging out at a cemetery.

Barangay Chairman Johny Lego said that during his stint, the PTA has addressed the concern on students loitering in the premises of La Paz Catholic Cemetery, engaged in illegal activities.

However, challenges have recurred.

“Ang dyan sa La Paz Catholic Cemetery, matagal nang concern at lately nag-okay naman dahil nagka-usap na kami ng simbahan dyan at sepulturero sa loob. Sila na ang bahala pero papasok rin kami anytime,” Lego said.

Earlier, two students of La Paz National High School were caught in the act in intimate contact inside the said cemetery.

Celia Cervas, officer in charge of La Paz Catholic Cemetery, said she does not approve of students hanging out in the cemetery, especially making out, but two caretakers are not enough to guard the whole cemetery from truants.

“Matagal nang pinagsasabihan ang mga estudyante na huwag pumasok sa sementeryo. Sinasabi naman siguro yan ng paaralan. Hindi naman namin makontrol kung pumapasok kasi walang nakabantay,” Cervas said.

Members of gangs, of minor ages, who also hang out at the cemetery add up to the concerns.

“Dahil sa gang na yan, may mga nambabato ng bote, may mga patalim,” Lego added.

The Iloilo City Police Station 2 (La Paz Police) advised the public to report immediately to the police any sighting of students hanging out in the cemetery, for authorities to check.

As for the concern about unscrupulous groups that use the cemetery for a meeting place, the police are yet to check if these gangs in La Paz are active.

“Regarding sa mga gangs, mino-monitor rin yan ng ating WCPD [Women and Children’s Protection Desk] na personnel sa ating police station. Kung meron man, ina-aksyunan naman kaagad,” said Major Tranquilino Querubin, chief of the Iloilo City Police Station 2.

La Paz Police assured they will continue to implement the Integrated Deployment Patrol Plan to pad further incidents.