For security reasons: Mayor Tom reiterates call on public to leave city during ASEAN Summit

With new but raw information on possible terrorist attacks coming in, Mayor Tomas Osmeña yesterday reiterated his call on residents to leave Cebu City during the ASEAN Summit in December.

"It's a very dangerous and risky situation for all of us...we are a very, very juicy target for terrorists," the mayor said in his regular press conference.

Osmeña mentioned about "a lot of raw information" that terrorists will take the opportunity to sabotage the Summit, but he said these are still subject to verification.

Since early this year, Osmeña has been asking the public to take their time off city life during the four-day summit, so that there would be minimal traffic flow on city streets, and make it easier for authorities to monitor the city, and detect and respond quickly to any emergency.

"It's safer, better and nicer if you leave Cebu City during those days," Osmeña said contending that the public would just suffer the inconveniences from strict security procedures by that time.

Thousands of soldiers and policemen would be detailed around the city through the duration of the Summit. Strict security would mean that residents who remain in the city would have to stay inside their houses for four days, said the mayor.

Motorists may not even be able to drive around freely, said Osmeña adding that he earlier planned to request gasoline stations to close during the Summit period.

Militant groups will not be banned from holding rallies but Osmeña said the city would designate specific areas where rallies can be held. "We will give them a decent place where they can hold a rally. It can be near the venue for as long as they will not block (the access)," he said.

Maximizing security has been a top priority for the hosting of the Summit. President Gloria Arroyo earlier asked that inmates at the city jail in barangay Lahug should be moved to the new jail in barangay Kalunasan before the Summit starts.

Although not a major venue of the event, the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, located near the Bagong Buhay Rehabilitation Center, is one of the hotels considered where an estimated 1,000 foreign journalists would be staying.

The city council already allocated P2.9 million for the 29 mountain barangays that would undertake Osmeña's "Balik Barangay", a program that would keep barangay residents away from the Summit. - Joeberth M. Ocao/RAE