Security assured for fluvial parade, other activities

CEBU, Philippines - Security should not be a headache during the Sinulog activities in the next two days, including the fluvial procession tomorrow, following an inspection and procession dry run yesterday.

In particular, the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command does not see major concerns after Lieutenant General Nicanor Vibar conducted an inspection of important facilities.

And after checking Pier 1, Vibar, CentCom commanding general, said he was satisfied with the level of security that the port has been implementing even during normal days.

“Nakita ko yung procedure dito maganda, matibay at saka naayon sa polisiya ng gobyerno lalo na nung pier na ito. First time ko to nakita di ko akalain ganyan pala…. Maganda yung procedure nila. Sa sistema wala akong masabi maayos,” Vibar said.

He was confident that with the level of security at the port area, it is almost impossible for someone to sneak in guns, drugs and contrabands.

“With that procedure maganda ang kalalabasan ng ating mga aktibidad sa Cebu.  Kasi ito na yung port of entrance and port of exit.  Napakahalaga ng port na ito kasi dito dadaan ang mga tao na darating sa Sinulog at papuntang Tacloban,” he said.

Vibar was supposed to check Cebu’s ports with Secretary Volataire Gazmin of the Department of National Defense and Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya of the Department of Transportation and Communication but they failed to come.

Vibar said CentCom would deploy up to 3,000 personnel and another 1,000 Reserved Officers Training Corp cadets.

Chief Inspector Felix Quianzon of the Port Police Security Division said that even in normal days they have been implementing very tight security at the port.

He said that during Sinulog, security is even made tighter, knowing that people from other provinces converge in Cebu for the Sinulog.

He noticed, though, that the influx of passengers yesterday was not as heavy as that during Christmas.

Also, the Philippine Coast Guard conducted a dry run of the annual fluvial procession early morning yesterday.

Philippine Coast Guard Station Cebu Commander Rodolfo Villajuan said the dry run went well.

“Maganda ang resulta ng dry run. Nakuha ng one hour and a half so may one and a half hour pa before the mass at 9 AM. Safe na safe tayo doon,” he said.

He said that they were able to sail with the speed of five knots, which was slower than last year.

Villajuan said around 100 sea marshals are to be deployed during the fluvial procession.

PCG also expects less number of vessels participating in the fluvial procession, which traverses the strait between mainland Cebu and Mactan Island from Mandaue City to Cebu City, compared to last year.

Villajuan said the PCG registered at least 50 vessels as of 4 p.m. yesterday, although he expects more ship owners and boat operators to come and beat the noon deadline today.

 “So far, meron tayong 50 registered sea vessels.  To include sa amin na 45, so at least 100 in total that will join,” he said.

He said that those who want to register are required to submit a certificate of seaworthiness from the Maritime Industry Authority.

Other concerned agencies that will secure and control the flow of the procession include CentCom, Philippine Navy, Philippine National Red Cross, Bantay Dagat, 201st PCG, and 202nd PCG units, and volunteers from the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary group.

“By Friday evening, 100 percent okay na tayo,” Villajuan said, adding that they still have two meetings today with boat operators and sea marshals.

He reminded participants that they are prohibited from bringing along with them liquor, firecrackers, drugs, firearms and any kind of deadly weapon, and even balloons inflated with helium.

He said they have organized a task force to control the passenger vessels and to secure the galleon carrying the Sto. Niño image.  

“We are preparing 45 floating assets, like rubber boats and speed boats,” said Villajuan.

He emphasized that they would wait for the weather advisory and check the sea condition early morning Saturday before deciding whether to continue or cancel with the fluvial procession.  (FREEMAN)