Police: Ready for Sinulog security

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office is now 99 percent ready for the Sinulog Grand Parade on Sunday.

CCPO deputy chief for administration, Supt. Arnel Banzon, said uniformed and covert operatives will be deployed along the parade route. Patrol cars will also be doing the rounds within the carousel route to prevent possible crimes inside the cordons.

Banzon said there are 2,185 personnel to be deployed in the parade route. At least 3,000 ROTC cadets and 745 criminology students from different colleges and universities will be mobilized to help in the crowd control.

 â€œWe are not perfect but we are doing our best to maintain peace and order,” Banzon said in a press conference.

`Banzon also urged the different contingents to help them by reporting unidentified persons who might join them in the parade.

“Mas maayo gyud ni nga sila ang motawag sa police nga i-remove ning mga tawhana kay kini man gud ang magdala og samok,” he said.

Chief Supt. Danilo Constantino already issued Memorandum Circular 48-13, laying out the operational guidelines for the Sinulog.

The police admitted that it is a big challenge for them to secure the festival since there are at least three million people are expected to join the Sinulog.

“We are getting all the possibilities and scenarios and we make plans on how to address them,” Banzon said.

The public are warned to behave by not bringing liquor in the parade route. Police Regional Office-7 spokesperson, Supt. Renato Dugan, said the police will maintain the policy of maximum tolerance.

“Ato sa ni silang warningan unya kung di gyud motuo aw ato gyud ni silang dakpon,” Dugan explained.

Dugan also urged the public to take extra-precautionary measures during Sinulog and to report any suspicious looking person to the police.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) was tasked to secure the metro north and south areas as entrance and exit points.

“We are also conducting checkpoints in these areas nga agianan gyud,” said Supt. Glenn Ares, Deputy Provincial Director for Administration.

CPPO is deploying 300 personnel as augmentation force to CCPO.

Mandaue City Police Office director, Sr. Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin, said that 330 personnel will be deployed at the Ouano wharf and the two bridges connecting the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue as well as the boardwalk at the North Reclamation Area for the fluvial procession in Saturday.

Lapu-Lapu City Police Office deputy director for administration, Supt. Virgil Ranes, said they are also securing the wharfs, hotels, malls and financial establishments.— (FREEMAN)