Generally peaceful Sinulog draws 3.5 million people

CEBU, Philippines - Heavy downpour that soaked most of the Sinulog revelers including the contingents did not prevent the 3.5 million crowd from going out on the streets to witness the grand parade.

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said this year’s crowd estimate is bigger compared to the 3 million last year.

Buenafe said at most 3.5 million people came to watch the Sinulog this year despite the rains. The figure includes those who watched inside the Cebu City Sports Center and those who were on the parade route.

According to Buenafe, the five additional contingents this year added to the number of the crowd by as much as 200 per contingent.

Despite the huge volume of people watching the Sinulog, Buenafe said the celebration went peacefully except for a few incidents of snatching and pick pocketing along the parade route. A foreigner was also injured after she slipped at the grand stand.

At the Fuente Police Station, there were at least five snatching incidents reported as of yesterday afternoon. The figure was comparatively lower to the 10 snatching incidents recorded last year.

There was also no single fraternity related incidents.

“We’ve seen them joining the Mardi Gras or at the streets but were very peaceful. They lived to their words na dili mag-create ug any trouble,” Buenafe said.

Police regional Office-7 director Chief Supt. Ager Ontog described yesterday’s celebration as generally peaceful, without any untoward incident which could have marred the event.

Ontog, who witnessed the Sinulog festival for the first time, said it was the biggest and one of the most organized festivals he has ever witnessed.

“Dito may kaayusan talaga and unlike any other festivals, dito is halo religious at cultural ang kanilang pag-celebrate kaya maganda,” he said.

French national Morgan Farraron, 20, suffered an injury at the back after she slid while watching the Sinulog together with her parents.

Fararon was rushed by rescuers to the Chong Hua Hospital.

PROVINCIAL BUSES IN THE CITY

After the grand parade, provincial buses were deployed in the city to help in bringing home the passengers.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) 7 director Ahmed Cuizon requested the provincial buses to carry passengers within city.

Cuizon called an emergency meeting with the Cebu Provincial Bus Operators Association yesterday and all heeded his request except Ceres Bus Lines.

Buses were allowed to load passengers in front of Cebu South Bus Terminal in Natalio Bacalso Avenue. Buses ply as far as Pardo in the south and SM City in the north at P7 fare. – (FREEMAN)