CEBU - With two million people expected to flock the city streets during the Grand Parade on Sunday, police yesterday promised to be on full alert on that day.
“We are 100% ready for the Sinulog activities,” PRO-7 Director Ronald Roderos said during yesterday’s “TSIP sa PRO7- Talakayan sa Isyung Polis.”
Supt. Pablo Labra II, chief of the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Branch, also said policemen will be deployed in the streets as early as 5am and would take shifts until the celebration ends dawn the next day.
“Andam na gyud mi muhatag ug proteksyon,” Labra said.
Considering that the feast of the Señor Sto. Niño falls on the day of the Grand Parade, Labra said it might be difficult to completely ban liquor, considering that people would be celebrating.
He, however, assured, that those who will disturb the celebration because of too much alcohol would be placed in temporary detention cells.
For his part, Cebu Provincial Police Director Carmelo Valmoria said checkpoints in Consolacion and Talisay City will be more strict come Sunday to monitor the influx of people that would enter Cebu City. Bus terminals would also be strictly guarded.
Police advised that electrical appliances should be unplugged before leaving the house to avoid fire and to lock the house to avoid unscrupulous individuals from taking advantage of the situation. Those who plan to hit the crowds during the Grand Parade are advised not to wear jewelry.
Gun ban
Meanwhile, Sr. /Supt. Louie Oppus, head of the Operations and Planning Division of PRO 7, said only police officers on duty and in uniform will be allowed to bring their service firearms. Civilians are not allowed to bring guns even if they have permits.
Oppus said the public can help in preventing indiscriminating firing during the Grand Parade by reporting people with guns in tow to the police.
The public is also advised to immediately report suspicious boxes or bags left in public places, as these may be explosives planted to disturb the celebration.
Checkpoints and security cameras will be positioned in various areas in the city to monitor the activity. Likewise, police will constantly monitor areas like the Fuente Osmeña circle where teenagers and gang members usually hang out and drink.
Fluvial parade
Considering the bad weather these days, the coastguard would not allow unregistered boats to join the fluvial parade on Saturday.
Commodore Antonio Cuasito, chief of staff of the Coastguard District Central- Eastern Visayas, said only vessels registered with Marina and with color-coded flags will be made to participate during the fluvial parade.
The coastguard would also be strict on the number of people to board the vessels to avoid overloading and prevent untoward incidents. Owners of vessels are also urged to distribute life jackets.
Strict security would also be implemented to ensure that no deadly weapons would be brought on board vessels that are part of the parade. — AJ de la Torre, CIT MassCom Intern/JMO(THE FREEMAN)