500 rookie cops to secure parade

CEBU - Some 500 new policemen who are still under the Field Training Program will be deployed to help the Cebu City Police Office secure the route of the grand Sinulog parade on January 18.

Cebu City Police Office director Patrocinio Commendador, who was assigned as the commander of the Task Force Sinulog 2009, said the main task of the police is to ensure the safety of the people who would witness the revelry.

Further, Comendador said he also did not sign any paper that permits his men to take a leave on their duties because he wanted them to help maintain the peace and order especially in the streets where thousands of people are expected to gather for the celebration.

Aside from the 500 FTPs, personnel from the Central Command will also be deployed to help in the crowd control.

Comendador said that he and Police Regional Office-7 chief Ronald Roderos had already arranged all the preparations at the CCPO.

He added that they are making sure that the police personnel are ready for the Sinulog celebration to be peaceful and orderly. — Christopher Gabriel Bonjoc/WAB   (THE FREEMAN)