To ensure safety of fiesta: Massive security in place

CEBU, Philippines - To keep the peace during the grand parade for the Sinulog celebration this weekend, around 12,000 policemen, soldiers and cadets would be deployed around the procession and parade routes and other areas around Cebu.

Police Regional Office-7 director, Chief Supt. Ager Ontog said that this is a warning to criminal elements not to engage in nefarious activities during the celebration.

The PRO-7 chief held a final conference yesterday with officers of the Cebu City Police Office and the Central Command to coordinate the security preparations for this weekend.

Three million people are expected to watch the Sinulog grand parade on Sunday and thousands are also expected in Saturday’s solemn procession.

A total 2,000 policemen as well as 9,000 soldiers and ROTYC cadets plus members of the Barangay Intelligence Network would be deployed.

Ontog said that checkpoints would be set up around Cebu.

He also lauded the CCPO for a comprehensive security preparation.

“Napakalaki na ng pwersa natin. Para sa mga kriminal, ‘wag na muna sila pumasok dito dahil siguradong mahuhuli sila. Ang araw na ito ay para rin sa pagsamba sa ating Panginoon, ‘wag naman sana nilang sirain,” Ontog said.

The PRO-7 Director added that with the experiences of the eight sector commanders during the past Sinulog festival, they are sure that the parade route where the dancers would pass by is secured.

He said the PRO-7 will supervise CCPO and will provide them all the necessary assistance. The city government is also very supportive, he added.

The regional police chief also urged the public to help the law enforcement agencies maintain peace.

To deploy personnel are the 78th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, the 2nd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force, the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Army, the Naval Reserve Command, and the Air Reserve Command.

The personnel of the 78th IB under Lt. Col. Nolasco Mempin will take charge of crowd control for the parade.

The Naval Forces Central (Navforcen) under Commodore Armando Guzman will take charge of securing the route for the fluvial procession on Saturday morning.

Navforcen is deploying two patrol gunboats to escort the galleon that would carry the image of the Santo Niño.

The Naval Special Operation Unit would act as marshals and traffic controllers at the Mactan Channel.

The 7th Regional Community Defense Group (7RCDG), under Colonel Raymundo Banares will assist in the crowd control of the solemn procession on Saturday afternoon.

MUSLIM COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Muslim Communities in Cebu City, Mandaue City, Talisay City and Lapu-lapu City including other towns within Cebu yesterday pledged commitment to the Cebu City Government and the City Police to help in ensuring peace and order during the grand parade on Sunday.

Over 100 volunteered to be peace advocates, who will work hand in hand with the PNP and other agencies in-charge of the security during the festival.

The Muslim Cebuanos also vowed to cooperate with the police in preventing the alleged plan of entry of terrorists from Mindanao.

“On the threat of Abu Sayyaf group, we would like to assure that as far as we are here, Abu Sayyaf will not be in Cebu,” said Abet Gunang, a Muslim Community leader in this city.

“We (Muslim Cebuanos) are not criminals. We hate to be criminals. Kaya kami nandito dahil ayaw namin ng gulo. We want peace. So we will protect this place,” Gunang said.

“We will double our efforts to support the PNP and the city government during the Sinulog 2011,” Gunang added.

Other leaders said that their continuous support to the city government is their way of expressing gratitude for treating them as equal as the other people living in the Cebu.

Mayor Michael Rama said that Cebu’s Muslim brothers have always had a good relationship with the rest in the community so it is high time to think about how they can develop and improve their situation.

Rama said that he is planning to create more opportunities for Muslim traders to make money just like how the Downtown Revitalization Project which includes the Night Market along the Colon St. has economically helped them.

The mayor asked their help in ensuring the safety of tourists that are starting to flock the city for Sunday’s Festivity.

“Our visitors should enjoy their visit here. To do this, let’s help each other,” Rama told them.

Rama also trusts that the Muslim Communities will help in the intelligence operation over the threat of Muslim terrorist attacks on Sunday. – with Jessica Ann R. Pareja/NLQ (FREEMAN)