Fines set for drone flight ban violators

CEBU, Philippines - A penalty from P300,000 to P500,000 will be imposed on those who violate the drone ban during the Sinulog Festival on Sunday.

Police Regional Office–7 regional director Prudencio Tom Bañas reminded the public that all unmanned aerial vehicles or drones that will be used to take aerial photos of the Sinulog activities would be regulated based on memorandum circular 21–2014 of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

“Those who intend to use their drones in no-fly zones will face charges and their equipment will be confiscated,” he said, adding that the public must strictly abide with the said regulation.

Only those who have acquired the license to operate from CAAP shall be allowed to operate drones, Bañas said.

He added that the restriction will be implemented for security and safety considerations.

The no-fly zones will be observed during the solemn foot procession on Saturday and during the Sinulog Grand Parade in Cebu City on Sunday.

Meanwhile, pedestrian crossing signs will be put up along the parade routes in Cebu City at 5 a.m. this Sunday to decongest the crowd.

Tinago Barangay Captain Joel Garganera said they have identified 24 intersections, also considered as chokepoints, on the six-kilometer stretch of the Sinulog Grand Parade wherein influx of people is highly anticipated.

He said they have decided to put up pedestrian crossing signs with entrance and exit signage will help people cross the street in an organized manner.

“For all we know, gusto sila molabang but they cannot go anywhere kay way road nga makalabang sila. If di kalabang, magkagubot,” he said.

Each of the intersection will be manned by barangay tanods who are equipped with megaphones.

Garganera added that the innovative security measure on crowd control was conceptualized based on their meetings with the police and military forces.

The barangay captain reminded the public to be mindful of the pedestrian crossing signs and follow the instructions of the force multiplier assigned on the intersection when crossing the street.

PRO-7 Deputy Regional Director for Operations and Cebu City Police Office officer-in-charge Conrad Capa appealed to the public to showcase the Cebuano discipline during the celebration of the Sinulog Festival.

“We do not need to rush for priority, for better position just to watch. Let us keep in our places so we can keep this carousel moving smoothly,” he said.

Aside from the existing 1,700 policemen from CCPO, there will be an augmentation of over 800 policemen from the regional headquarters, and from Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.

Capa said 4,000 additional force multipliers will be also mobilized for crowd control. They will include barangay tanods, military reservists, ROTC cadets and students from different colleges and universities. — (FREEMAN)