Chaos prevailed at Manila North Cemetery, resulting in one person with a disability and two senior citizens going missing after a massive crowd flooded the country’s largest necropolis. The gates opened at around 4 a.m. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023.

According to the police, they had already processed and permitted the entry of approximately 100,000 people since Tuesday, and when the gates officially opened early Wednesday morning, the situation escalated.

A search and rescue mission has been launched by the police to locate the missing three individuals.

As of the time of this posting on Wednesday, a long queue was observed due to the influx of thousands of visitors. The police were individually inspecting them to ensure prohibited items such as broomsticks, paint, and thinner were not brought into the cemetery. Items confiscated by the police included cigarettes, lighters, vapes, and perfumes, all of which are not allowed inside the cemetery.

Earlier, PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr confirmed that there was no security threat during the observance of Undas (All Saints’ Day).

During an inspection visit to Manila North Cemetery a few days ago, Acorda mentioned that they had not received any information about the possibility of disturbances during this Undas.

According to the PNP Chief, area commanders will be responsible for maintaining alertness, depending on the situation in their respective areas.

(Benjie Cuaresma/ai/mnm)

All Saints’ Day is a widely celebrated religious holiday in the Philippines, a cherished tradition where Filipinos pay their respects and visit the graves of their departed loved ones.

This holiday provides a golden opportunity for families to come together, sharing moments while visiting the resting places of their deceased relatives and friends.

On November 1st (All Saints’ Day) and November 2nd (All Souls’ Day), thousands of families flock to cemeteries, where they honor their loved ones through heartfelt prayers, the placing of flowers, and the lighting of candles.

This heartfelt celebration bears a striking resemblance to the Mexican tradition known as “Dia De Los Muertos” or “Day of the Dead.”

Although it’s still more than a week before All Saints’ Day, sprucing up of burial places seems to be the order of the day on Sunday, October 22, 2023, as shown here of snapshots of caretakers diligently cleaning, and repainting tombs at the Manila North Cemetery.

This early, flower shops near the largest cemetery in the Philippines have also indicated an uptick in their daily sales.

(Report and photography by Benjamin Cuaresma/ai/mnm)