25 rounded up in saturation drive in Manila cemetery

MANILA, Philippines - At least 25 residents were rounded up in a saturation drive at the Manila North Cemetery in the city's Sta. Cruz district, a week before the All Saints weekend. Radio dzBB's Louie Garcia reported that some of the 25 who were rounded up were gambling in the area. The 25 were to undergo verification for criminal records. "Dati 11,000 ang nakatira rito, ngayon 2,000 mahigit. Ang iba nagbabalikan na caretaker, lalabas na uli yan, pagkatapos ng undas aalis yan, uuwi na (Before there were as many as 11,000 squatters making the cemetery their home. Now there are just a little over 2,000. Many of them are caretakers of tombs who leave after the All Saints weekend)," North Cemetery OIC Peter Tamondong said in an interview on dzBB radio. Tamondong also said he has started issuing "Bantay Sementeryo" ID cards to authorized caretakers and cemetery personnel, to weed out squatters. He said those without ID cards will be accosted and brought to a nearby police station. On the other hand, he said preparations are going smoothly for the All Saints weekend, with cemetery workers removing garbage from the area. "Ang basura wala na rin, ayos na (We got rid of the garbage. The cemetery is relatively clean)," he said. - GMANews.TV