Filipinos head to cemeteries to visit the tombs of their departed loved ones on All Souls' Day. (Photo by Vincent Go)
Philippine authorities went on high alert Oct. 30 as millions of Filipinos start to flock to cemeteries for the annual observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.
They fear rebel or militant groups could take advantage of the occasion to launch terror attacks.
The military is on alert against possible abductions of civilians and attacks on military installations by rebel and terror groups, said Brig. Gen. Carlito Galvez, deputy chief of staff for operations of the Philippine Armed Forces.
"We cannot lower our guard, especially on occasions when the public is vulnerable," he said.
The military is deploying some 600 soldiers around Manila while some 4,000 troops will be on standby to help police.
The Philippine National Police will deploy some 2,000 personnel to secure cemeteries in Manila and its suburbs.
Catholic Church leaders have urged the faithful to observe All Souls' Day and All Saints' Day in the right spirit.
Cotabato Archbishop Orlando Cardinal Quevedo reminded the faithful that All Souls' Day is on Nov. 2 and not Nov. 1.
To note, it has become the tradition of Filipino Catholics to go to the cemetery and visit the dead every Nov. 1, which is All Saints' Day.
Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara of Pasig, chairman of the bishops' Commission on Social Communications and Mass Media, urged children to dress like Catholic saints and martyrs instead of scary costumes.
"Let's initiate wholesome activities such as a parade of saints," Vergara said on church-run Radio Veritas.
Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa said there is a need to "re-Christianize" the celebration of Halloween through the "correct commemoration of the saints and the holy souls during the celebration of the church's triumphs and sufferings."
In a circular issued in his archdiocese, Arguelles said the observance of Halloween appears to have lost its religious character.
"Unfortunately, secular, consumerist and pagan practices have seeped into what was sacred and spiritual in our religious observances," said Arguelles.
Archbishop Oscar Cruz, head of the National Tribunal of Appeals of the bishops' conference, told priests not to celebrate Masses outside churches on Nov. 1 and 2.
Cruz said the country's bishops have issued the directive to stop some priests celebrating "special Masses" in exchange for cash donations.
The prelate said the move was also to deter "fake priests" roaming around cemeteries saying Mass and blessing tombs for a fee.
Filipinos remember their dear departed every year on All Souls' Day by flocking to cemeteries, feasting, singing, and dancing.
