PNP: Undas secured; travelers nearing 2 million

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October 30, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — With over 141,000 police personnel and force multipliers deployed to cemeteries, major thoroughfares and places of convergence, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday security measures are in place for All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days.

Up to 73,034 police officers have been deployed to 5,311 cemeteries and columbaria as well as transport hubs, places of worship and tourist destinations, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

Completing the security team are 16,560 personnel from other state agencies and 51,578 barangay public safety officers.

The PNP is on full alert starting today until Nov. 3.

Security preparations for Undas are now in full swing in southern Metro Manila cities.

In Parañaque, 1,190 police personnel will be deployed from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 across the city’s four cemeteries: Manila Memorial Park, Loyola Memorial Park, Himlayang Palanyag and the Parañaque Catholic Cemetery.

Tramo street and A. Bonifacio street will be closed on Nov. 1 while the eastbound lane of Victor Medina street will be designated for parking.

Parking at the Manila Memorial Park and Loyola Memorial Park is prohibited. Selling flowers at the front gate is also not allowed.

The city is considering using a vacant lot near Loyola Memorial Park for flower vendors.

“We are mobilizing our personnel and coordinating with partner agencies to manage traffic, maintain cleanliness and respond to the needs of the public,” Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez said in a statement.

In Muntinlupa, funeral and cremation activities are halted in the city’s eight cemeteries from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2.

The city government is offering free rides from Susana Heights to Everest Hills Memorial Park from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2.

In Makati, parts of Kalayaan Avenue and South Avenue near the Manila South Cemetery will be closed from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2.

Meanwhile, Pasay has clarified reports about workers rounding up stray animals roaming inside the city’s public cemetery.

The city veterinary office said the government’s intention was to rescue stray animals to protect people visiting their dead.

PITX passengers nearing 1 million

Passengers traveling through the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange for the long holiday weekend are nearing one million, according to PITX.

Foot traffic from Oct. 25 to 28 reached 745,769. As of 2 p.m. yesterday, another 100,074 passengers had arrived at the landport, bringing the total to 845,843.

PITX management projects up to 1.9 million travelers until Nov. 4.

Authorities have confiscated 260 prohibited items, including knives (89), lighters (51), butane gas (46), cutters (35) and scissors (28).

The Office for Transportation Security checked security measures at PITX.

The Philippine Ports Authority said nearly two million passengers are expected to flock to ports during the long Undas weekend.

7 drivers test positive for drugs

Seven public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers were barred from plying their routes yesterday after they tested positive for drug use.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency spokesman Joseph Frederick Calulut said the PUV drivers were found positive for drugs during random drug testing conducted by the PDEA using urine samples.

Drug tests are being conducted at transportation hubs nationwide ahead of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days to ensure the safety of commuters who will go home to the provinces to visit their dead.

The licenses of the drivers who tested positive for drugs were suspended by the Land Transportation Office pending confirmatory testing.

Zero-waste Undas

Environmental group EcoWaste Coalition yesterday called for a waste-free Undas.

The group staged a candle-lighting ceremony at the Manila North Cemetery, urging the public to respect not just the dead, but also the environment.

The coalition said it would be roaming around memorial parks all over Luzon from Nov. 1 to 2 to monitor the waste situation.

The group asked visitors to observe cemetery etiquette or “cemetiquette,” for a zero-waste and eco-friendly Undas.

EDSA reblocking works resume

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) will resume reblocking works along the southbound lane of EDSA as part of the P4-billion rehabilitation project.

In an advisory yesterday, the DPWH said road repairs begin today at 10 p.m. until Nov. 2.

The affected portions of EDSA will reopen to traffic at 5 a.m. on Monday.

The DPWH advised motorists to take alternate routes. – Andrew Ronquillo, Josiah Antonio, Rainier Allan Ronda