Police warn street carolers: Secure permit or face arrest

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office has warned street carolers of possible arrest if they are caught taking advantage of the yuletide season.

Chief Inspector David Señor, chief of the Police Community Relations Branch, said that carolers should do it in the proper venue and not in buses and jeepneys.

Señor also urged them to secure the necessary permit from the Cebu City Hall otherwise they will be facing arrest.

The police are intensifying its operations against carolers after having noticed the group of children and even adults riding public buses and jeepneys to sing Christmas carols to ask money from the passengers.

Señor said that some of the carolers would take advantage of the passengers and sometimes show faces so that passengers would give them money.

He said that caroling is not bad but there is a city ordinance that prohibits singing in the streets especially without permit.

Señor urged those who are planning to hold caroling activities to secure permit from the City Hall and notify the offices or residences that they intend to hold a caroling on a specified time.

“Ato ning dakpon kaning mga sakto na sa edad unya ato ning pang-rescue-hon ang mga bata nga manaygon sa kadalanan. Labi na ning manakay og bus ug jeep,” Señor said.

And to prevent kids from roaming around the streets on the yuletide season, Señor plans to hold a Christmas caroling contest intended for the out-of-school youth with extra-ordinary talents.

He said this will encourage the children to stay away from the streets and instead focus on practicing their piece.

Señor said that the kids will be gathered at CCPO for a Christmas party where they will showcase their talents for a prize. (FREEMAN)