CCPO on alert for final day of the Bar

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) remains on alert today, which is the last day of the 2022 Bar examinations.

The city is among the venues of this year’s Bar, particularly the University of San Carlos and the University of Cebu Banilad Campus.

The Bar schedule started on November 9, with other component exams given on the 13th and 16th of the same month.

According to Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, deputy city director for operations of CCPO, the administration of the Bar exam in Cebu City has been peaceful and orderly from the start. She said no untoward incidents have so far been reported.

Today, police expect large crowds to flock at the testing centers as the families and friends of the Bar takers are expected to welcome and congratulate the latter for hurdling the four-day grueling exam.

Because of this, Rafter said CCPO is alert to implement security in the venues, along with personnel from other government agencies.

“We have anticipated that and we are still using the same security deployment but this time we will be more alert. Let us be more preemptive together with other agencies,” she said.

To the supporters and families, police appeal that they not stay on or close to the roads to avoid causing traffic congestions, especially since roads near these venues are closed.

Liquor Ban

Meanwhile, police have not arrested any violator of Executive Order No. 14 issued by Mayor Michael Rama, which imposes a liquor ban within the 100-meter radius from the testing centers.

This has been attributed to the fact that the Business Permit and Licensing Office identified all those shops covered by the EO and police personnel then visited such stores one by one and distributed copies of the order.

The liquor ban will be lifted 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. This means that even after the conduct of the exam today, drinking within the 100-meter radius from the testing centers may still be barred.

“Kining atong BAR Exam alas 5 mahuman na gyud siya so atong ikuan nga magselebrar gyud ning mga estudyante but base sa executive order ni Mayor, the EO is still effective up to 11:59 p.m. katong 100-meter radius nga wala’y mag-inom sa BAR testing centers, i-implement gihapon nato and (ban),” said Rafter. – JMD (FREEMAN)