Over 12,000 cops to be deployed for Undas 2026 -- NCRPO

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Monday that it will deploy around 12,325 personnel for Undas 2026.

Of the initial deployment, over 11,700 will come from the NCRPO and more than 600 from its regional support units.

“Handa na po ang NCRPO… tayo po ay may ilalatag na operations plan na nakatuon sa police visibility, crowd management, traffic assistance, anti-criminality operations at ating mabilis na emergency response,” NCRPO spokesperson P/Lieutenant Colonel Hazel Asilo said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(The NCRPO is ready… we will implement an operations plan focused on police visibility, crowd management, traffic assistance, anti-criminality operations, and rapid emergency response.)

Asilo said the NCRPO will be put under full alert status starting 12:01 a.m. on October 30, 2026, and leaves of absence for its personnel will be strictly prohibited.

A total of 2,365 personnel will be deployed to cemeteries, columbaria, and memorial parks around Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, over 1,300 personnel will be assigned to churches and parks, over 700 at bus terminals as well as air and sea ports, and more than 500 for traffic management.

At cemeteries where overnight stays by visitors are prohibited, such as the Manila North Cemetery, force multipliers from the barangays will remain to provide security.

Asilo added that coordination remains ongoing with local authorities, who will ensure order and security for unattended houses and establishments.

Visitors

The NCRPO said it is expecting a higher volume of cemetery visitors during this year’s observance of Undas.

The peak hours for visitation are expected on November 1 from 9 a.m. until the afternoon, according to Asilo.

“Sa pagtataya ng ating cemetery administrators, mas dadagsain po itong ating Undas ngayon since natapat po siya ng weekend,” she said.

(Based on estimates by cemetery administrators, more people will flock to this year’s Undas since it falls on a weekend.)

“... So ine-expect po natin na compared po last year is mas marami po. Kung nasa 1.8 million po ‘yung dating nagpunta dito sa ating sa may area ng Manila North [Cemetery], ine-expect po nila na nasa two million or more po ‘yung posibleng dumagsa sa November 1,” Asilo added.

(...So we expect a larger turnout compared to last year. If around 1.8 million people visited the Manila North Cemetery previously, administrators expect around two million or more could flock there on November 1.)

Visitors are reminded that bringing firearms, bladed or pointed objects, sound systems, flammables, and pets, as well as gambling, are strictly prohibited in cemeteries.

If possible, authorities are discouraging visitors from bringing young children and the elderly due to expected crowding and warm weather.

“Planuhin po natin nang maaga ang inyong pagbisita, bantayan po natin ang inyong mga gamit, maging alerto po tayo lalo sa ating kapaligiran at iwasan po natin ang pagdadala ng malaking halaga ng pera or pagsusuot ng mamahaling alahas,” Asilo reminded.

(Plan your visit early, watch over your belongings, remain alert to your surroundings, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewelry.)

Asilo advised those planning to visit to ensure their homes are locked, all electronics are unplugged, and to refrain from posting real-time updates on social media for security purposes. —RF, GMA News