Generally peaceful in Cebu during Holy Week

CEBU, Philippines - The Holy Week celebration in the Province of Cebu was generally peaceful, said Cebu Provincial Police Office Director, Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac.

Gillamac said the shooting of a British dive shop operator in Malapascua Island in Daanbantayan was an isolated case and the arrest of two suspected pickpockets in Minglanilla town did not create chaos in the Sugat-Kabanhawan celebration yesterday morning.

“I know vigilant na ang publiko aning mga ingon ani maong na-prevent nato ang mga kagubot,” Gillamac told The FREEMAN.

There was also no major vehicular accident reported as a result of the drive safely campaign.

Gillamac said the Hagnaya wharf was also well-secured for passengers going to Bantayan Island.

Supt. Anthony Bagarinao, Northern Cebu area supervisor, said they were also assisting the riding public at the wharfs and ports back to their destinations before he advised his personnel to go back to their respective offices.

“Full blast ang security namo karon ilabi na kay mamauli na kasagaran basin ugma pwede na sila mubalik sa stations ang mga gi-deploy,” Bagarinao said.

For his part, Insp. Welther Grapa, assistant area supervisor in Southern Cebu, estimated around 70,000 people witnesses the Sugat-Kabanhawan in Minglanilla.

Right after the event, the audience mobbed two suspected thieves identified as Bobby Alcanzado, 32, of Bao, City of Naga, and Al Tantay, 27, Tabunoc, Talisay City.

After a man shouted, “Kawatan na!” pointing to Alcanzado and Tantay, the crowd immediately held the suspects who were mauled by some until the arrival of the barangay tanods and the policemen.

There were reports of lost items such as cellular phones and wallets at the Minglanilla Police Station but nothing was recovered from the suspects.

According to police station chief, Senior Insp. Richard Dinopol Gadingan, Alcanzado and Tantay could possibly be working in group and the stolen objects may have been carted away in possession with the other members.

Both suspects have denied any involvement in the incident and insisted they were just in Minglanilla to witness the Sugat-Kabanhawan Festival.

Alcanzado and Tantay are placed under the custody of the Minglanilla police for further investigation and proper disposition. — Ria Mae Y. Booc with Juffer Denn C. Bornales and Lara Praz C. Mayol /GMR (FREEMAN)