Undas peaceful as 3.8 M visit cemeteries nationwide

The observance of Undas or All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day was peaceful and orderly yesterday, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP), as millions of Filipinos flocked to cemeteries, memorial parks and other public areas to honor their dead.

- By MARK ERNEST VILLEZA and EJ MACABABBAD

As of last night, some 3.8 million have flocked to cemeteries, according to the National Capital Region Police Office.

"The security measures for Undas 2025 do not end with planning and deployment. We have to make sure the security plan is properly implemented and necessary adjustments are made depending on the situation on the ground," acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.

In a message to The STAR, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the situation across Metro Manila has been "generally peaceful" with no untoward incident recorded.

Breaking down the numbers as of 6 p.m. from some major cemeteries, 1,038,993. trooped to Manila North Cemetery, 120,440 to Manila South Cemetery, 15,300 to La Loma Cemetery, 5,400 to Chinese Cemetery and 192 to Paco Park.

Based on the Roman Catholic calendar, Nov. 1 is All Saints' Day and Nov. 2 is All Souls' Day. But this doesn't matter much to many Filipinos who would begin trooping to cemeter-1 ies on Nov. 1. More Filipinos are expected to visit cemeteries today.