Gun ban proposed for Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Police Office Director Melvin Ramon Buenafe announced yesterday that they have submitted their request for a “special gun ban” to be imposed for Sinulog 2012 celebration.

If approved, the gun ban will start on January 5th and will end on January 25.

Buenafe said their office had seen fewer crimes during the previous Sinulog celebrations because of the special gun ban.

“Tungod sa gun ban, mas easier ang pag spot nato sa mga criminal elements kay ang mga pulis ra man ang pwede mag dala ug armas. Basta hindi pulis, that’s already a signal” he said.

He said only uniformed police personnel are allowed to carry firearms during Sinulog. Policemen who violate this will also face sanctions, he added. 

Earlier, Buenafe asked the Police Regional Office – 7 to add 1,000 more policemen in Cebu City for the Sinulog.

In another development, Buenafe said that ex-convict Napoleon Go Arda, who was earlier reported to be an alleged gun-for-hire, may also be a member of a robbery group.

Buenafe said that they have been anticipating the entry of robbers from other places to strike Cebu City during the Christmas and Sinulog celebrations.  

Police had seized a number of high-powered firearms from Arda. With this, police theorized that he, and his cohorts, who evaded arrest, may be members of a robbery group. 

He also said that the capture of Arda was a “significant achievement” of the Motorized Riding Unit (MRU) recently formed as part of their Police Integrated Patrol System (PIPS).

Last year, CCPO reportedly arrested a group of criminals believed to have purposely traveled to Cebu City to prey on Cebuanos.

The incident had become a reminder for the police to be always on alert for criminals entering Cebu, added Buenafe.

Because of this, the police intensified their operations by conducting saturation drives, foot and mobile patrols and check points which will continue until Sinulog 2012.

Further, he said they are constantly coordinating with their counterparts in other provinces across Central Visayas to assist them in their monitoring against all kinds of criminals. — (FREEMAN)