The celebration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day in Negros Oriental Sunday and yesterday, respectively, was generally peaceful with no major crime incidents reported, Senior. Supt. Dionardo Carlos, OIC provincial police director, said.

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, when All Souls' day is celebrated, the Philippine National Police had established 108 police assistance desks in all of the public and private cemeteries in the cities and towns of Negros Oriental, he said.

As early as Sunday, though, people had begun flocking to the cemeteries to visit the graves of their departed loved ones.

Initial reports from police stations as of late afternoon yesterday showed no incidents in relation to the observance of All Souls' Day at the cemeteries, such as theft, confiscation of bladed weapons and alcoholic beverages, or public disturbance had been reported, Carlos said.

The police stations, through the police chiefs, are expected to submit their full situation reports this morning, when the PNP lifts the full alert status, he added.

Carlos is hopeful the last few remaining hours until midnight yesterday would continue to be peaceful at the cemeteries.

However, for other crimes outside of the cemeteries that might be connected to the religious celebrations, he said it was still too early to make a report on them.

Incidents such as those involving traffic, house break-ins and the like, in relation to the Halloween break this year, will be known today and afterwards, Carlos added.

For three days since Saturday, police personnel were deployed to the cemeteries to ensure maximum public safety for people flocking there to offer flowers, candles and prayers for the dead.

Police personnel deployed to the cemeteries will return to their usual assignments beginning today, Carlos said.*JFP

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