PNP checks records of people living in Manila South Cemetery ahead of Undas

In preparation for the observance of Undas, authorities on Thursday inspected the records of some 2,000 people living inside the Manila South Cemetery.

According to Mark Salazar’s report on “24 Oras,” the cemetery’s management called the inspection as “Oplan Galugad” while the Sta. Ana Police Station of the Manila Police District (MPD) dubbed it a “census.”

“Vine-verify natin dito kung meron silang previous record para malaman natin at saka kung nasa complete list ng South Cemetery na mga resident dito,” said Sta. Ana Police Station Police Major Jake Arcilla.

(We are verifying if they have a previous record, so we can know. Also, if they are on the list of residents here in South Cemetery.)

The MPD said the move came after police served an arrest warrant last week for one person living inside the cemetery for homicide.

Three other residents were also caught in the act of using illegal drugs.

Asked why people are allowed to live inside the cemetery, Manila South Cemetery director Jonathan Garzo said that residents help a lot in maintaining peace and order.

“Unang-una, iilan lamang po ang aming city security force at mga personnel dito. Sa ngayon po, we are only around 12 city security force. Kaya ngayon, pati sa peace and order nagpatulong po kami sa kanila,” he said.

(First of all, there are only a few city security forces and personnel here. Right now, there are around 12 city security forces. So now, we are asking residents to help us with peace and order.)

“Tulad ng nag-assign kami at binuhay po namin ang night watch. Kumbaga sa barangay, sila ang nagsisilbing mga tanod,” he added.

(For instance, we assigned night guards in the cemetery.)

To prevent crimes in the cemetery, residents have self-imposed curfew and simple laws.

“Pagdating ng alas-singko [curfew na] kaya kailangan nasa bahay na. Kung gustong uminom, sa bahay na lang ho. Maski sa reklamong gulo o may nawalan ng halimbawa bulaklak at kandila kapag may nag-ano ho, bantayan mo 'yan, baka mawala ang bulaklak niyan, tayo-tayo din ang kasama diyan,” a resident said.

(At 5 p.m., we impose a curfew so you have to be at home. If you want to drink, you should do so at home. Even if there is a complaint about trouble or someone has lost flowers and candles, when someone does something, we keep an eye on it.)

“Tama naman po ang landas ng namin, sir. Wala naman mali dito. Basta maayos ang trabaho at walang niloloko, walang ginagawang masama, malinis na hanapbuhay. Ito ipinagmamalaki ko ang sementeryo,” she added.

(Our path is right, sir. There is nothing wrong with what we do. As long as the work is done well and no one cheats, nothing is done wrongly, we have a decent occupation. I am proud of this cemetery.)

“Dito pa kasi ‘yung hanapbuhay namin, wala naman kasi kami ibang mapuntahan kundi lang dito,” another resident said.

(Our livelihood is here, we have nowhere else to go.) — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News