Matches, rubbing alcohol not allowed inside Manila North Cemetery

Matches and rubbing alcohol are now prohibited inside the Manila North Cemetery as authorities try to prevent possible fire incidents in one of the most crowded final resting places in Metro Manila during Undas.

A report by Rida Reyes on Balitanghali on Sunday said that some people whose matches were confiscated were complaining because they would not have other means to light candles for their departed loved ones.

Reyes reported that policemen assured that they have teams patrolling inside the cemetery who can provide the visitors with matches or lighters for their candles.

Matches, rubbing alcohols and lighters fall under the category of flammable materials prohibited inside the cemetery.

Bladed items, including knives and even gardening tools, are also being confiscated from the cemetery's visitors.

As of noon, the Manila Police District has not recorded any untoward incident in the cemetery.

A report by radio dzBB's Manny Vargas, meanwhile, said that more than 100,000 people were already inside the cemetery as of 11 a.m.

The report added that Manila policemen have confiscated a total of 620 flammable materials and 127 gardening tools from people entering the cemetery. —ALG, GMA News