This is in anticipation of more people flocking to the cemeteries this year compared to the last two years when COVID-19 was high.
Because it’s a long weekend, Lingbawan said they expect more tourists to come, so they will secure not just the seaports and cemeteries but also the churches and all the tourist destinations.
“We have police officers ready for deployment and have established our Tourist Assistance Desks (TADs),” he said, adding that the TADs are being set up in the seven big churches in the island to provide security and assistance to people coming to the churches.
Lingbawan said that while the provincial and municipal local government units have yet to issue their own guidelines, SPPO is set to implement the guidelines received from its regional headquarters.
“We will implement all the protocols issued by the municipal health office and other concerned agencies,” he said.
Among those strictly prohibited inside the cemeteries are bladed weapons, liquor, karaoke in the cemeteries or other activities that create loud noise, and gambling paraphernalias.
“We come to the cemeteries to pay respect to our departed loved ones. Let us observe the solemnity of the occasion,” he said.
Lingbawan added that aside from the security measures, the Siquijor police is also intensifying its campaign against criminality, illegal drugs, among others.
He said check points are activated while force multipliers, advocacy groups, Barangay Intelligence Networks (BINs), barangay tanods, and security guards are also being tapped.
“We have a total of 280 PNP personnel, force multipliers and advocacy groups to be deployed to different cemeteries, churches and other places of convergence,” Lingbawan said as he lauded the good relationship and strong cooperation they have established with the said groups and churches.
He reminded the public to observe safety protocols. “We are not yet 100% free of COVID-19. We still advise that when we are with so many people, wearing of facemasks is still the best for us to be protected from the virus,” he said. (RAC/PIA7 Siquijor)
