Buses to serve as jail for unruly revelers

CEBU, Philippines — Revelers, spectators, and partygoers who will misbehave during and after today’s 39th Sinulog Grand Parade will be placed on buses converted into mobile jails, warns Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

In his Facebook post, Osmeña said the city government’s Kaoshiung buses are ready to be the temporary house of misbehaving party kids.

“Sa katong nag-apil sa gubot sa Fuente gabii (Friday) night, andam na ang Cebu City Party Bus para ninyo ugma (Sunday),” he said.  (Those who were involved in the Fuente Osmena chaos last night, the Cebu City Party bus is ready for you.)

The post gained over 3,000 reactions, 264 comments, and was shared 742 times.

Last Friday, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. which is chaired by Osmeña himself ordered the cancellation of the concert and activities inside the Fuente Osmeña Circle for security purposes.

“In line with the security measures we have implemented for the Sinulog 2019, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. has regretfully decided to discontinue tonight’s line-up of events due to unforeseen circumstances. Your safety and security is our utmost priority,” the statement of SFI reads.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused everyone especially to the working committee, volunteers, our partners, and performers,” it added.

Several youngsters were seen jumping off the fence of the Fuente Osmeña Circle as they insist to watch the free concert inside the area.

With this, organizers called off the concert to ensure the safety of everyone.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) advised the public to plan its trip to survive today’s 39th Sinulog Grand Parade amid the signal shutoff.

CCDRRMO Head Nagiel Bañacia said every member of the family should know each other’s whereabouts.

Today, mobile signal will be cut off from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m. in uptown and downtown areas of Cebu City.

This is the third time that the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) granted the request of the Philippine National Police to shutoff the signal for security purposes.

City Councilor David Tumulak, who is also chairperson of the Sinulog Foundation Inc.-Executive Committee, said the organizers have handheld radios for their communication.

Each contingent, he said, has a communicator for better flow of the grand parade which will start from Imus Road to General Maxilom Avenue to Fuente Osmeña to Osmeña Boulevard and to Cebu City Sports Center.

Since many people will be leaving their homes today, Bañacia reminded the public to ensure that lighted candles should be put out before going out of the houses.

Last Friday, emergency teams rushed to a house in Barangay Tisa where a room was destroyed by a fire because of an unattended lighted candle.

Bañacia said several disaster teams and quick response teams will be deployed to attend to emergency cases in the field like medical attentions and whatnot.

He said there are also 14 ambulances from the city government and several units from different non-government organizations, local government units, and schools that are deployed in the streets.

In its official Facebook page, the SFI also posted an advisory to keep calm and look for more secure place in case of bombing and earthquake.

“Observe drop, cover, and hold. Stay away from trees, powerlines, windows, hanged objects, and hazard. Use stairways,” reads portion of the advisory.

Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Royina Garma, director of Cebu City Police Office, asked the public dispose of their trash properly during today’s Sinulog grand parade.

She said that concealment of bombs and other improvised explosive devices would come easy in a pile of trash.

She added foul smell coming from the trash might compromise the performance of the 16 bomb sniffing dogs deployed for the Sinulog revelry.

More than 2,000 cops from different police units will be deployed in the different sectors covering the Sinulog route.

She added that sector commanders were instructed to allow cops to rest after every 12 hours of work.

She added that they are prepared to respond to any incidents and contingency plans are in place. —Mae Clydyl L. Avila/MBG (FREEMAN)