City gears up for peaceful All Saints Day celebration
City Mayor Jerry Treñas appealed to all Ilonggos to cooperate with the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to maintain peace and security inside the cemeteries this coming All Saints Day and All Souls Day.
Treñas said drinking sessions, gambling, sound systems and bringing of deadly weapons and firearms inside the cemeteries are strictly prohibited. He expects those visiting the cemeteries to comply with the orders.
He said the city police have already put in place Oplan Kaluluwa to secure all the people as they flock to the different cemeteries. Uniformed and plainclothes policemen will be deployed in the different cemeteries. Inspections would be made in the entrance of the cemeteries to prevent any untoward incidents.
The entrance and exit of each cemetery will also be cleared of any vendors. This is to give easy and immediate access in case of emergency. Enterprising vendors consider the All Saints Day as opportunity to sell different stuff from bottled water, candles, food stuff and flowers at the cemetery.
The entrance and exit points of the city will also be secured by the police. There would be check points.
Meanwhile, Fr. Renato Cuadras of the Lady of Espousal Parish (Mandurriao) asked the parishioners to instill stillness inside the cemetery. The cemetery should be a place where visiting loved ones of the dead can offer their prayers. The dead wants the living people to respect the place.
Prayers are much more important than dozens of flowers and expensive candles to commemorate the day of the dead. Masses in all churches will also be held on Saturdays and Sundays.