BY MA. THERESA LADIAO
ILOILO City — Western Visayas had a “generally peaceful” observance of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Days (November 2), known locally as Undas, with no major incidents reported, according to the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6). Authorities
Brigadier General Jack L. Wanky, PRO-6 director, extended his gratitude to all involved, from local government agencies to volunteer organizations, for their coordinated efforts in maintaining security across public spaces such as cemeteries, ports, and terminals.
“Thanks to the cooperation of the public and the commitment of our personnel, this year’s Undas celebration remained peaceful,” Wanky said, highlighting the success of community awareness campaigns on cemetery protocols.
Over the holiday period from October 31 to November 2, PRO-6 recorded a decrease in overall crime incidents. The region logged 77 incidents, an improvement from last year’s 88 incidents, or a 12.5% decline. Notably, incidents within the eight focus crimes, which include murder, theft, and physical injury, dropped from 22 in 2023 to 12 this year.
Around 2,500 police officers and 1,872 auxiliary personnel were deployed across the region to provide assistance and ensure visibility at key locations across the region. As residents and travelers return to their regular routines, PRO-6 assured the public that heightened police presence would continue, emphasizing the importance of safety as a year-round priority./PN
