Butuan police to public: Never disclose your itinerary online during Undas break
By Mariesh F. Celedeña
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — With the growing use of social media and the constant trend of posting updates online, the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO) has reminded the public to minimize or refrain from sharing personal travel plans during Undas for their own safety and security.
Police Lieutenant Joy March C. Estioco, chief of the BCPO Public Information Office, during an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Caraga, advised the public to avoid disclosing details of their activities or whereabouts online to prevent potential risks to themselves and their homes, especially since most families will be away and visiting departed loved ones at cemeteries.
“The Butuan City Police Office is reminding homeowners to secure your houses properly before leaving or prior to travel,” she said. “Families should plan their visit ahead of time and make sure that children have tags with essential information. For emergencies, the public is urged to contact 911 or the designated police hotlines.”
Meanwhile, Butuan City has 86 barangays with a total of 32 public and private cemeteries. With the observance of this year’s Undas, these cemeteries are expected to draw large crowds of people paying respects to their departed loved ones.
To maintain peace and order, Chief Estioco disclosed that the BCPO will deploy police personnel across all cemeteries to ensure public safety throughout the observance of Undas. “More than 100 police personnel will be deployed starting October 31 to November 03, with heightened monitoring during Undas to ensure a safe and orderly observance.”
“Aside from the strengthened police patrolling in the city, in close coordination and partnership with other government agencies and volunteers, we will be establishing assistance desks in all these cemeteries to aid the public,” she added.
BCPO has also strengthened police visibility in key public places that will potentially draw large crowds, such as transport terminals, airports, seaports, and tourist destinations. “BCPO will be deploying police personnel to the airport, seaport, bus terminals, including tourist areas in the city. This is in preparation for the potential influx of commuters who will be traveling in and out of the city and families who will be visiting the tourist attractions.”
Undas is the Filipino term for the yearly celebration of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day every November 1st and 2nd, a long-time tradition in the country of honoring the dead. (MFC, PIA Caraga)
