Peaceful Independence Day celebration in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has reported no untoward incident during the 123rd Independence Day celebration in the city last Saturday.

Contrary to the previous years where militant groups held anti-government rallies that resulted in violent dispersal at the University of the Philippines, Police Captain Edgar Labe, Waterfront Police Station chief, said they have not monitored a similar mobilization this year, except a brief protest at the Cebu Heritage Park Saturday morning.

"Dali raman to sya, nidagan lang sya og mga 10 to 15 minutes, nag dispersed sila, among gi-monitor naglakaw ang uban diri padung sa downtown pero wa na sila nag-rally, totally dispersed na jud sila hangtod na hapon," said Labe.

Labe said they provided security during the Independence Day program held at the Plaza Sugbo.

"In totality, sugod buntag hangtod gabie, peaceful jud kaayo atong Independence Day celebration," he said.

According to Labe, the heavy downpour last Saturday could be one of the reasons why anti-government organizations failed to mobilize warm bodies to hold a protest.

 Another reason could be that they have already conducted a protest on Friday, ahead of the Independence Day celebration.

Labe also did not discount the possibility that the previous confrontations between the police and the militant groups have discouraged protesters from holding a rally.

Earlier, the CCPO directed all police stations to monitor anti-government protests, especially in areas where they usually converge. The directive was to ensure that any protest action would not violate the standard health protocols.

According to Labe, a group of protesters were confronted by the police last Friday for illegal parking.

"Gibadlong sa atong police kay no parking man na nga area, gibadlong nga pabalhinon, gi-ignore lang nila ang police," said Labe.

Labe said they later found out that several militants were on board the vehicle. A heated argument ensued prompting the police to issue a citation ticket for violation of the traffic rules.

The vehicle transferred but was again issued another citation for the same violation. Despite the confrontation, protesters were given 10 minutes to express their sentiments before the police dispersed them. — FPL (FREEMAN)