Cops admit securing Sinulog a big challenge

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 will meet with the Sinulog Foundation today to assess its security efforts during this year's Sinulog.

The evaluation will identify lapses and pinpoint best practices.

From his end, PRO-7 Director Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino said that with the number of people that attend both the religious and cultural activities in the Sinulog, it would be best to install more closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. He said PRO-7 is looking at fielding more personnel at the Basilica del Santo Niño.

"Next time, we could also recommend more CCTV cameras," Constantino said.

Thousands trooped to the Basilica everyday starting on the first day of the nine-day Novena leading to the Fiesta Señor Sunday. During the solemn procession last Saturday afternoon, police estimated a crowd of 3.2 million.

Constantino said that based on his personal observation, it would also be better if more entrance and exit points will be opened at the Cebu City Sports Center where the final showdown of contingents participating in the Grand Parade takes place. This will prevent a possible stampede.

Police estimated the crowd during the Grand Parade to reach 3.5 million, shy of 500,000 from last year's estimated crowd of 4 million. 

Constantino admitted that they had a difficult time controlling the crowd in the streets especially when there were celebrities on board the floats.

"Hindi naman mai-aalis sa tao ang excitement pag may darating na artista pati na kung gusto nilang magpa-picture sa mga dancers (We could not stop the people from getting excited especially when there are celebrities and even when they want to have their photo taken with the dancers)," he said.

Supt. Reycel Carmelo Dayon, Deputy City Director for Operation, also said the crowd became harder to control as the day progressed because more and more people had hit the streets. In the evening, his men assigned at the Fuente and General Maxilom areas also noted many young people getting drunk and getting rowdy.

PRO-7 Public Information Officer Supt. Renato Dugan said it became more challenging for members of the police when they themselves get pushed and hit by spectators during the Grand Parade.

Constantino said what will be retained next year is the deployment of personnel in the streets where parties are being held.

"Ituloy-tuloy natin 'yun sa susunod na taon… pati na ang patrol cars na naka-standby at naka-blinker maganda ang feedback sa atin (We will continue this next year… we got positive feedback on the patrol cars that were on standby," he said.

At least 50 personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB)-7 will remain to secure the city for the nightly activities the week.

Police Community Relations chief Enrique Belciña also explained yesterday that food was distributed to the augmentation forces in the streets, but these did not reach them on time because of difficulty in navigating through the thick crowd.

Overall, Constantino said this year's Grand Parade was generally peaceful and he thanked the public for their cooperation.

Additional prizes

Meanwhile, to encourage more local government units to join the Sinulog, Governor Hilario Davide III said he will give additional prizes to last Sunday's winners from the province.

 "Wa pay exact figure basta hatagan sila og premyo. I promised Mayor (Democrito) Diamante (that Tuburan will get additional prize for winning in the) Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Lalawigan," Davide said.

The town's contingent bagged the third place in the Sinulog Based Category in last Sunday's Grand Parade while its muse won as Festival Queen.

Aside from Tuburan, Davide said the province will also give additional prizes to the Carcar City Division and the Talisay Central Elementary School, fourth and fifth place winners, respectively, also in the Sinulog Based category.

"It was a good finish. We're proud of that. Congratulations to these winners," Davide said.

The governor, who witnessed last Sunday's grand presentation at the Cebu City Sports Center, said he was "really impressed" of this year's Grand Parade.

Meanwhile, Davide said Capitol is yet to release the P1 million cash assistance it has promised the Sinulog Foundation, Inc. He said the money will be released once the foundation provides the province a liquidation report of last year's financial aid.

"The P1 million that the province has pledged is still there… we don't want to get in trouble with COA," the governor said. — Ria Mae Y. Booc, Bryner L. Diaz and Liv Campo/JMO