MANILA, Philippines — October 25, 2026. With millions of Filipinos preparing to remember their departed loved ones during Undas, Manila police have intensified security operations around major cemeteries, apprehending 18 individuals for allegedly drinking alcohol in public places as part of a wider campaign to maintain peace and order.
The operation, conducted on Friday night, October 23, targeted streets near Manila North Cemetery and other burial grounds in Sta. Cruz, Manila, as authorities prepared for the expected influx of cemetery visitors on November 1 and 2.
The Manila Police District’s Station 3 carried out the operation under Oplan Galugad, a police initiative involving patrols, inspections and checks for possible violations of local ordinances and other security concerns.
18 Apprehended in Three Manila Barangays
According to reports from ABS-CBN News, Pilipino Star Ngayon and Remate, the 18 individuals were found drinking in groups along the streets near Tambunting Street in Sta. Cruz.
The operation covered Barangays 373, 374 and 375, located near major cemeteries in northern Manila.
Police brought the individuals to the Blumentritt Police Community Precinct for verification and documentation.
Authorities identified the alleged offense as a violation of Manila City Ordinance No. 555, cited in news reports as prohibiting drinking alcoholic beverages in public places.
Remate reported that the individuals were subsequently released after police checks found no outstanding warrants against them.
The operation was therefore primarily an ordinance-enforcement action, rather than evidence that the individuals were involved in serious criminal activity.
Police Also Inspect Manila North Cemetery
But the operation did not stop with the street-drinking violations.
Police personnel also inspected Manila North Cemetery, including poorly illuminated sections and narrow pathways, to identify potential security concerns before the annual observance.
According to the Daily Tribune, approximately 40 individuals encountered inside the cemetery were brought to a main road for verification.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Jolly Soriano, commander of the Manila Police District’s Station 3, explained that authorities were checking whether the individuals had outstanding arrest warrants and determining their reasons for being inside the cemetery at that hour.
The checks formed part of a precautionary operation intended to discourage criminal activity as visitor numbers increase.
Reports did not establish that the approximately 40 individuals were wanted criminals, and their verification should not be confused with the 18 street-drinking apprehensions.
Why Police Are Tightening Security Before Undas 2026
Undas, observed around All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2, is among the Philippines’ busiest annual periods for cemetery visits.
Families traditionally gather to clean and decorate graves, offer prayers and remember deceased relatives.
For law enforcement, the anticipated crowds present additional challenges involving traffic, pedestrian movement, personal security and emergency access.
The Manila North Cemetery and nearby cemeteries are particularly important areas for security preparation because they attract large numbers of visitors.
Police have indicated that Oplan Galugad operations will continue to help maintain order around these locations.
Street Drinking Has Been a Wider Metro Manila Enforcement Priority
The Manila operation comes amid broader efforts to enforce public-order ordinances across Metro Manila.
In April 2026, GMA News reported that drinking and smoking in public places were among the leading violations identified during the National Capital Region Police Office’s Safer Cities Initiative.
Authorities recorded more than 24,000 ordinance violators during the initiative’s first two days, including thousands of violations involving drinking or smoking in public.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government has promoted increased police visibility and enforcement of existing rules as part of its wider public-safety efforts.
However, implementation has also generated debate over fairness, proportionality and the treatment of ordinary residents.
In April, Manila police suspended punitive enforcement of certain rules involving people appearing shirtless in public following criticism that enforcement could disproportionately affect poorer communities.
The suspension did not eliminate enforcement against street drinking and other applicable ordinance violations.
Security and Civil Rights Must Go Together
The latest operation also raises a broader question: How can police strengthen security during major public gatherings while protecting the rights of residents?
Preventive patrols can help authorities identify security risks, but merely being present in a public place should not automatically be treated as evidence of criminal activity.
Proper documentation, lawful police procedures and fair treatment remain essential during inspections and verification activities.
The distinction is especially important during Undas, when cemetery workers, nearby residents and visitors may all be present around burial grounds outside ordinary visiting periods.
What Cemetery Visitors Should Know
As Undas approaches, residents planning to visit cemeteries in Manila are encouraged to monitor official city and police announcements regarding visiting schedules, entrance arrangements, traffic restrictions and prohibited items.
Visitors should also avoid drinking alcohol in public places where local ordinances prohibit it, keep personal belongings secure and cooperate with lawful security procedures.
Any specific cemetery restrictions should be checked against the latest announcements from local authorities before traveling.
Will Manila Police Expand Their Operations?
With November 1 and 2 approaching, continued patrols around Manila North Cemetery and nearby burial grounds are expected to remain part of the city’s security preparations.
The apprehension of 18 individuals illustrates the authorities’ focus on ordinance enforcement even before the busiest cemetery-visiting days arrive.
But a more important question remains: Will the intensified police presence deliver a safer, more orderly Undas while ensuring that residents and visitors are treated fairly?
For Manila authorities, the real test will come as larger crowds begin arriving at the city’s cemeteries.
