The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) will maximize the deployment of field personnel to ensure public safety during the twin religious celebrations on November 1 and 2.

NOPPO spokesperson Lt. Stephen Polinar told the Philippine News Agency on Monday, October 28, that the police will be on “heightened alert” status during the yearly observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.

“We will start the deployment of our field personnel on October 31 to the cemeteries, seaports, airports, bus terminals, and other places of convergence as we expect an influx of people on these days,” Polinar said.

The majority of the PNP personnel in the different police stations will be deployed to the field, except for a few to man the desks, he added.

No one is allowed to go on leave or off duty on these days unless necessary, Polinar said.

Additionally, each of the three congressional districts in Negros Oriental will have a rapid deployment team in case of a serious emergency.

The NOPPO is tapping the Philippine Army to help secure the province on these dates.

Acting Dumaguete City police chief, Lt. Colonel Don Richmond Conag, in a separate interview, said they are tapping the so-called force multipliers such as the Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSO), to help the police during the Undas.

Public assistance desks would be put up in all cemeteries and other strategic places, he added.

Conag said they will also be coordinating with the Traffic Management Office and the Discipline Zone enforcers regarding entry and exit routes at the cemeteries.

Meanwhile, the 700-member strong Buglasan Festival security task force has been terminated with only 200 police personnel to be on duty 24/7 in three shifts during the four-day extension of the food fest and booth fair, Polinar said. (PNA)