CEBU CITY - The observance of All Saints' Day here was genereally peaceful, police said.
Police Col. Antonietto Cañete, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said no untowards incidents were recorded in major cemeteries, seaports, and bus terminals here.
COL. Antonietto Canete, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, leads the inspection of Pier 1 in Cebu City on All Saints' Day. (Photo via Calvin Cordova)
Cañete led the inspection of Carreta Cemetery, one of the largest cemeteries in this city, and Piers 1 and 2.
"We didn't see any problem in the cemeteries, seaports, and terminals. The CCPO deployed personnel in key areas with the help of our counterparts from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)," said Cañete.
In pier areas, police ensured that passengers were not victimized by scalpers selling overpriced tickets.
Police also closely monitored overcharging taxi drivers, Cañete said.
Security will remain tight in seaports and terminals even after "Undas" as hundreds of passengers are expected to travel back to Cebu City.
Data from the Philippine Coast Guard-Central Visayas showed that from 6 a.m. to 12 noon on Friday, 8,840 inbound passengers and 9,481 outbound passengers were recorded.
A total of 582 Coast Guard personnel were deployed in Cebu City ports.
"The observance of All Saints' Day was generally peaceful. We inspected all the terminals a day before and we did not receive complaints or reports of untoward incidents," said Cañete.
Cañete said police deployed in cemeteries were instructed to conduct thorough inspection in entrances to make sure that no contraband will be brought inside.
Police were reminded to make sure that no one will be victimized by pickpockets or thieves inside the cemeteries.
Those visting their departed loved ones were prohibited from bringing sharp objects, cigarettes, gambling paraphernalia, alcoholic beverage, and other prohibited items into the cemeteries.