Prison vehicles ready for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - At least nine prison vehicles of Cebu City Jail will serve as temporary mobile detention cells for unruly Sinulog revelers and those caught drunk during the Grand Parade next week.

This is in line with the decision of Mayor Tomas Osmeña to ban street parties during Sinulog to maintain peace and order.

"Kanang mobile detention cells para na sa katong mga tao nga magpabadlong during sa Sinulog including atong mag-hubog-hubog nga magpaso-paso sa kadalanan ug paglikay nga madisgrasya sila," said Councilor David Tumulak.

He said the mobile detention cells will be deployed starting Saturday evening. Some of the detention cells will be deployed along Osmeña Boulevard, General Maxilom Avenue, and along other streets surrounding General Maxilom Avenue.

"Kini atong mobile detention cells gikan ni sa atong BJMP sa City Jail, katong ilang vehicles nga naay rehas na daan. Atong kapolisan ang mo-man anang mobile nga jail nato," Tumulak said.

He said the City Disaster and Risk Management Office is also supporting the move to prevent similar incident in the previous years in which several youths were captured sleeping in the streets.

"For safekeeping, ato nang isulod sa sakyanan aron pakatulgon ning mga hubog. Pagawson sa buntag but depende sa extent sa violation. That's the time nga mo-file ta’g appropriate charges if grabe ang na-commit na violation," he said.

Tumulak said the city government will not approve any applications for street parties.

Osmeña earlier said no street parties along Sinulog route will be allowed since it will attract people to drink along the street. People caught drinking alcoholic beverages along the streets will be arrested.

Business establishments along the Sinulog route, however, will be allowed to operate and do business as usual. But, they are not allowed to extend their operation outside especially in the parking areas and the streets.

 "Pwede ang party pero dapat within lang gyud sa ilang establishments. Dili molapas sa parking space and especially sa dalan," he said.

CCDRRMC head Nagiel Bañacia said the main objective of the city is to have an orderly and remarkable Sinulog celebration this year.

Bañacia said those companies that wished to conduct concerts and parties during the Sinulog will be asked to submit disaster management plan which contains the security plan and traffic plan. (FREEMAN)