Security boosted

CEBU, Philippines - Police authorities are on the lookout for a possible attack during Sinulog but have assured the public they have not detected any threat or group that might disrupt the festivities next Sunday.

“As of today, we have not received any report from the field regarding presence of threat groups that might do criminal acts to disrupt the Sinulog celebration,” said Senior Supt. Paul Labra II, chief of Regional Intelligence Division.

But while they have not received such reports, Labra said they are not discounting possibilities of terroristic acts to be done during the festivities, adding this was seriously taken into account during their planning, especially after the terror attack in France.

Four days ago, at least 12 people were killed when two armed brothers in masks barged into the Paris office of a French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

Four cartoonists and the magazine’s editor were reported dead by the authorities, although alleged perpetrators Cherif Kaochi and Said Kaochi, who remained at large for three days, have been killed by the French police in the town of Dammartin-en-Goele.

Labra assured the police have prepared contingency measures in case of similar terrorists strike.

Supt. Romeo Santander, chief of City Intelligence Branch, said they are closely monitoring movements of people in Cebu or presence of any groups that might threaten the security of Sinulog revelry.

He said he already issued a memorandum to the lower units to intensify their monitoring in their respective areas of responsibility.

Santander did not reject the idea that an attack might happen in Cebu and vowed the city police will beef up security preparations for everyone’s safety.

He also urged the public to coordinate with the police if they see any suspicious looking persons or things so that the police can validate the report and act on it immediately.

“Sinulog is very fast approaching. We don’t tend to relax, hangyo lang namo, be vigilant always, that’s very basic to us. Lisod man gyud kung kamo naay mahibaw-an unya di mo mo-istorya. Basin naa mo’y mga paryenti nga naa sa area…be very cautious,” Santander said.

ALERT STATUS STAYS

Meanwhile, Lt. Commander Jim Alagao, spokesperson of the Central Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said they have not lifted the red alert status in the region since last year.

The red alert declaration aims to tighten security in major cities like Cebu and Tacloban where Pope Francis is set to meet with families affected by super typhoon Yolanda next week.

 In Cebu City, Mayor Michael Rama and Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella have also alerted the police and ordered security beefed up.

Rama, who is the chairman of Sinulog Foundation Inc., said he cannot promise full safety of Sinulog revelers, but vowed that bolstered security will be exercised by authorities.

“No one can absolutely guarantee that everyone will be safe, but heightened security will be exercised, and we aim that (nothing untoward) will happen in the city,” he said.

Rama urged the public to be vigilant, “to expect the worst, employ hard work and let God take care of the rest,” adding that he entrusts the safety of Sinulog goers to the Holy Child.

Labella, chairman of Police Coordinating and Advisory Council, reminded Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Senior Supt. Conrad Capa to impose stricter security during the festivities.

“Terror threats should be seriously considered because these elements have their own version in the Philippines,” Labella said.

He said he does not want to sound alarmist, however, he wants to make sure that Cebuanos will enjoy the celebration without thinking too much about threats.

He also said he has asked Capa to look after the security of political leaders who are going to the city to accompany their contingents, especially knowing that some of these leaders may be bringing their own security groups with them.

“I have witnessed in the past Sinulog celebration nga kuyaw man gud ang kining mga politiko gikan sa laing lugar nga magdala og security kay of course, with firearms gyud and wala ta kahibaw nga magka-initay ang mga politiko diri,” he said.

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, meanwhile, has been in full alert since January 8.

CDRRMC chairman Councilor David Tumulak said this means the disaster team is on standby and ready to go in the field should any untoward incidents occur.

The City Traffic Operations Management also assured that all works and developments on roads, especially those affected by the carousel route of the Sinulog Grand Parade, will have to be halted by next week.

CITOM operations head Jonathan Tumulak said the ongoing rehabilitation of road sections at the North Reclamation Area, along V. Rama Avenue and S. Osmeña Boulevard have already been stopped.

Also, starting January 9, all roads along the parade route were already passable, following the directives of Rama.

Rama earlier ordered the stoppage of road constructions to make way for Sinulog preparations.  — /JMD (FREEMAN)