City working with parishes for Holy Week security plans

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City government met with the Parish Security Group (PSG) leaders to plan out the security preparations for the upcoming Holy Week observance.

Yesterday, at least 34 parish security leaders attended the meeting that Councilor Dave Tumulak, who heads the committee on public order and safety, called at the City Hall.

In an interview, Tumulak said he gave a briefing to the security leaders on how to respond to incidents and how to coordinate with law enforcers.

The PSG will help secure the vicinity of their respective churches.

However, they will work hand in hand with Cebu City Police Office and the barangay tanods for the overall security plan.

“Gi-remind nato ang mga parishes sa safety sa atoang mga parishioners nga mosulod sa tagsa-tagsa ka mga simbahan, especially sa parking ug uban pa. Ang atoang barangay tanods i-deploy sad.  And kato sa mga dalan nga naay lubak-lubak, kinahanglan i-patching because it causes danger sa moapil sa procession,” Tumulak added.

He admitted that police officers in the city are not enough to secure the whole jurisdiction, that is why they need to tap the respective PSG teams from the different parishes.

“Just for the safety sa atoang parishioners at the same time we have to admit nga kulang gyud ang atoang mga police personnel nga mag-man sa atoang simbahan.  Ang tanod pud kulang. Dili man pud nato ma-deploy ang tanang tanod sa churches especially sa mga solemn procession,” Tumulak said.

Record shows that every parish security leaders have at least 10 members.

Tumulak reminded the public to secure their respective houses before leaving and to report to authorities if they notice suspicious things along the streets.

The PSG leaders also expressed their concerns about the obstructions upon entering the church, parking space and among others.

Tumulak said the city government will look into the matter so that everything will be in order before the Holy Week.

Tumulak is expected to meet the cops and barangay tanods in the city for the final briefing.

In a press conference yesterday, Mayor Tomas Osmeña divulged that he will not be giving directives to the cops as well as to the traffic enforcers knowing that they are doing their duties well.

Meanwhile, he commented on the recent development that it is not impossible that the two “Isis” members stayed in Cebu for three days.

“This has been going for a long time, and I don’t think that we are immune. We’re not isolated to this problem. If they can attack England, the World Trade Center, do you think city hall is exempted?” he said.

“We’re living in a different kind of world.  The threat is everywhere. That’s why I don’t like to tell people don’t worry, you are safe. No, it’s not safe, be careful,” Osmeña added. (FREEMAN)