The Philippine National Police has activated its security plan to ensure the safety of the public on the long weekend ahead of the traditional observance of All Saints' Day on 1 November.

In a statement on Thursday, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. ordered the deployment of 85 percent of police personnel for public safety and law enforcement duties in anticipation of increased public activity during the declared holidays.

Azurin urged the public to take advantage of the long weekend to pay respects to the dead ahead of time to avoid congestion in cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaria on 1 November.

The country's top cop also reminded the public to take the necessary precautions when leaving their residences unattended during the long weekend. He advised traveling homeowners to coordinate with barangay authorities for special security arrangements.

Upon the instructions of Azurin, the National Headquarters thru Lt. Gen. Benjamin Santos Jr. Deputy Chief for Operations issued the Operational Guidelines to all PNP Units and Offices outlining specific instructions for security coverage and other public safety operations in the observance of Undas.

The Operational Guidelines designated the Directorate for Police Community Relations under Brig. Gen. Mario Reyes as the Office Primarily Responsible to monitor and coordinating all public safety operations by PNP Units in areas of engagement.

Tourist destinations

Santos said this year's combined long weekend and holidays, aside from customary paying homage to their departed relatives in the cemetery, may also redirect other people to meet in popular tourist destinations, thus, there is a need to constantly remind the observance of Minimum Public Health Standards protocols based on IATF Guidelines and Local Government policies.

He said PNP Units are instructed to maintain a police presence at all times along travel routes, transport terminals, public cemeteries and major thoroughfares. The PNP will establish at least one Police Assistance Center in every public cemetery or memorial park in cooperation with local government units, civilian volunteer organizations, and civic clubs.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has directed the PNP to sustain police visibility and enforce tighter measures against criminality in all potential spots of public convergence to ensure a safe and solemn observance of Undas.

Airports on high alert

Meanwhile, all airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines would be on high alert from 28 October to 4 November per the instruction of Department of Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista's "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2022."

CAAP stated that in order to ensure safe, secure, dependable, and convenient air travel for passengers, all 12 Area Managers in charge of all CAAP-operated airports with commercial flights nationwide must ensure the maximum deployment of service and security personnel.Therefore, a "no leave" policy will be implemented during the entire duration of "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos."

Together with the local authorities, including PNP-AVSEU, OTS, DoT, CAB, and airlines, they have worked in coordination for the efficient processing of passengers, especially at the check-in counters.

With Paula Antolin and Anthony Ching