Manila Police: Don't bring small kids, pets to cemeteries amid large Undas crowd

MPD asks public not to bring pets, kids to cemeteries amid large Undas crowd

The Manila Police District (MPD) on Monday advised parents and pet owners not to bring their small children and pets to cemeteries amid the expected huge crowd of people on All Saints Day and All Soul Day. 

“Nakikiusap din po kami, kung maari, wag na kayo magdala ng mga alaga nyong hayop baka ma-stress diyan sa loob ng sementeryo dahil napakarami ng tao. Panawagan ko na rin kung maari po sana, yung mga bata po, wag niyo na po dalhin dito,” said MPD spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. 

(We are also appealing, if possible, do not bring your pets because they might get stressed inside the cemetery due to the large number of people. My appeal as well, if possible, please do not bring your children here.) 

But in case children cannot be left alone in their homes, the MPD said that parents can bring their kids to the police desk at the entrance of the cemetery for their name tags. 

“Kung sakaling walang pagbibigyan kung hindi dadalhin niyo po, mayroon tayong talaan sa mga entrada, lalagyan po ‘yan ng  mga tag para nalalaman natin yung contact number ng mga magulang o guardian, in case na mawaglit po ay madali pong maibalik sa inyong mga pamilya,” said Ines. 

(In case there is no one [to leave them with] and you have to bring them, we have a desk at the entrances where they will be given tags so that we will know the contact number of the parents or guardian. In case they get lost, they can be easily returned to your families.) 

The MPD said they are expecting the number of visitors to Manila North Cemetery to peak from October 30 to November 1 based on experience last year where 1.5 million people visited the said cemetery. 

Despite the large crowd, the Manila Police assured that security measures are in place with undercover police to blend with the crowd. 

“Mga pulis natin na mga naka-plain clothes na bine-blend in natin. Katulong din natin yung mga kawani ng sementeryo diyan para mag-monitor po at kung mapapansin niyo sa mga entrada ng sementeryo, mayroon tayong mga command post para mag-assist sa ating mga kababayan,” said Ines. 

(We have our police officers in plain clothes who are blending in. We are also assisted by the cemetery staff there to monitor, and if you'll notice at the cemetery entrances, we have command posts to assist our countrymen.) 

On Sunday, around 37,000 visitors were recorded at Manila North and South Cemeteries a week ahead of Undas. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News