PNP now on red alert for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine National Police declared a red alert status effective yesterday until January 17 while the Cebu Provincial Police Office will field 100 personnel to help secure the Sinulog grand parade.

The Police Regional Office-7 already sent a directive to the different law enforcement agencies for a red alert status in the entire Cebu Province including the suspension of the permit to carry firearms.

 CPPO director Erson Digal said that even if only Cebu Province is under red alert, the neighboring provinces will also cooperate in providing security to maintain peace.

 “Basin ang mga tulisan in neighboring regions and provinces may come here,” he said.

 He added that the 100 personnel to be augmented for the Sinulog were ready since last week and it is up to the Cebu City Police Office where to deploy his men.

These personnel were taken from the Special Reaction Unit, the Provincial Mobile Group and from the CPPO headquarters.

He added that his remaining personnel in the province will be monitoring tourists visiting Cebu as a preemptive measure against suspicious persons.

He said he also instructed the chief of police in the different provinces to have mobile checkpoints and police visibility in their areas of responsibility.

Digal reminded the devotees to secure and be more careful with their belongings and report suspicious people to any police personnel nearby.

“We are ready to respond to any alarm,” he said.   (FREEMAN NEWS)