12,000 cops deployed for Undas —Eleazar

Joint Task Force COVID Shield Police chief Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday said more or less 12,000 policemen are deployed in cemeteries across the country for the observance of Undas.

At a Laging Handa press briefing, Eleazar said the police officers are being assisted by force multipliers to secure the public during the All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

The national government has directed the closure of cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums from October 29 to November 4.

"Nagkaroon na po ng koordinasyon ang ating local commanders sa mga LGU dahil nga po itong ating pagpunta sa Undas, while it is true na isang linggo starting from October 29 until November 4 ay sarado po 'yan pero days before, after that until November 15 ay puwede po silang pumunta doon," Eleazar said.

"Ang atin pong pulis ay nagdeploy ng almost 12,000 sa buong Pilipinas sa mga sementeryo at kolumbaryo... kasama na rin po 'yung force multipliers around 17,000 para po matutukan itong ating concern sa pagsunod ng mga kababayan sa mga health protocols," he added.

In Metro Manila, Police Major General Debold Sinas, the region's top cop, said they are expecting that the number of visitors in cemeteries will increase within the day until Wednesday, October 28.

"Sa ngayon ineexpect namin na talagang madaming dadalaw kaya 'yung pulis nandoon na umaga pa lang. Pero pagdating sa 29, absolute po 'yan. Wala po talagang papapasukin," Sinas said at a separate press briefing.

He said there is no report yet on violators who brought illegal items inside cemeteries.

"Sa ngayon, walang report na may nahuling alak, mga iligal doon. Walang nareport na nagdala ng illegal contrabands sa mga sementeryo as of today," Sinas said.

The number of visitors in cemeteries, memorial parks, and columbariums shall be limited to only 30% of the venue’s capacity.

Wearing of face masks and face shields as well as observing physical distancing is also required amid the pandemic.—AOL, GMA News