Tacloban City (October 30) -- It is a standard operating procedure for the Philippine National Police to go on full alert for the traditional All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebration.

This was learned from General Eliseo dela Paz, the Regional Director of the Philippine National Police in Region 8 and Col. Cleve Taboso, chief of the Philippine National Police Region 8 who said that the full alert status took effect nationwide at 12:00 noon of October 27, after President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo left for China.

General dela Paz said that it is a normal standard operating procedure of the PNP to be in full alert status during the All Saints Day and All Souls Day celebrations and when the president is out of the country.

General dela Paz made the clarifications in case some people will be alarmed with the nationwide declaration of full alert status by the Philippine National Police.

During the celebrations of All saints Day and All souls Day, people are busy paying respect to their departed relatives and friends and there is a possibility that unscrupulous people will hold terrroristic attacks while everyone is busy, General dela Paz said.

General dela Paz revealed that during these days, Police Assistance Centers will be established in the busy cemeteries and in malls where there are many people. He said that there will also be heightened implementation of police visibility in order to safeguard the people and to maintain peace and order.

Traffic assistance will also be conducted by the Philippine National Police in the Region, to help the many motorists during the celebrations, General dela Paz said.

A special police team will be sent to patrol and guard the various cemeteries and shopping malls and other vital installations to thwart possible terrorist attacks, General dela Paz said. The patrols will also be there for the purpose of preventing petty crimes which usually happens during busy celebrations and from 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon up to 12:00 midnight , he added.