200,000 dead people buried in Bolonsiri cemetery since 1982
Nitz Arancon2 min read
By NITZ ARANCONCorrespondent
BOLONSIRI, Cagayan de Oro’s biggest public cemetery, has become the final resting place for some 200 thousand people.
Aristotle Cabanlas, the public cemetery’s caretaker, said Bolonsiri has already become congested yet the figures are expected to shoot up after All Souls’ Day.
City hall’s general services office has momentarily suspended interments at the Bolonsiri, starting today until Nov. 2, because of the holidays when thousands are anticipated to flock to the cemetery to remember their loved ones.
Cabanlas said some 200 thousand dead people have been buried in the 19.8-hectare cemetery since 1982 when former Senate President Aquilino Pimentel Jr. was mayor of the city.
In fact, Pimentel’s father and namesake Aquilino Sr. was buried there, Cabanlas said.
Among those buried in Bolonsiri were some 250 people who died when typhoon Sendong flattened communities in the city in December 2011.
“Wala gihapon ma-ila kana sila, m-o nga kada kalag-kalag, walay magdagkot ug kandila ana nila dinhi sa Bolonsiri,” Cabanlas said.
Meanwhile, police regional director Chief Supt. Noel Constantino over the weekend ordered all provincial and city police chiefs in northern Mindanao to carry out no-nonsense security operations to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days in Region 10.
Constantino said there was no serious security threat in the region but police authorities nonetheless would implement a detailed security plan in northern Mindanao.
Constantino also ordered the police across the region to secure tourists.
He said people would also need to do their part by being mindful of their surroundings, vigilant and watchful of pickpockets, thieves and petty criminals who could take advantage of the situation.
Constantino ordered the police to set up assistance hubs in key areas in cemeteries.
He said the police would continue to step up security, including checkpoint operations, and would stricly enforce laws in cemeteries.
“Gambling and drinking (anything intoxicating) are not allowed inside cemeteries,” he said.
Camp Alagar spokesman Supt. Surki Sereñas said the police regional office could not say exactly how many people would flock to cemeteries across northern Mindanao this week.
But he said what is important is that the police have strengthened its intelligence monitorings this week.