THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) deployed its personnel to malls after noticing a surge of visitors on All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, 2021, during which all cemeteries and columbaria were closed.
The CCPO and the civilian volunteer group Task Force Kasaligan were tapped by the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to enforce minimum health standards set by authorities to help slow down the spread of Covid-19.
From Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, all cemeteries and columbaria nationwide were ordered closed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. This is to prevent mass gathering, a superspreader of the coronavirus.
Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, CCPO deputy director for operation, said they will check if the malls’ security teams have followed the guidelines, including the rule on prohibiting unvaccinated customers from entering restaurants and other joints that serve food.
Several malls are under the jurisdiction of the Mabolo Police Station. Parilla said the CCPO will augment the Mabolo police. Some personnel assigned in cemeteries will be transferred to malls.
Since Oct. 29, the Philippine National Police has been on heightened alert for the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
The CCPO said no major incidents happened during the observance of All Saints’ Day. (AYB / KAL)