This holy week PNP to stop lewd shows

CEBU, Philippines - In support to the Church and government’s plea to refrain from holding bikini shows and other non-religious activities this Lenten Season, the police have committed to stop “indecent” shows from happening.

Supt. Audie Villacin, who heads the Regional Investigation and Detective  Management Division 7, said they will stop concerts or other shows they deem are “lewd” or “indecent” this Holy Week.

“First i-check nato if naa ba’y permit. Kung naa, their permit is only to conduct the show; it does not excuse them from doing illegal, (We will check if they have permits.) ” said Villacin, who were among the guests in yesterday’s monthly Talakayan sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) forum.

He said though that they will properly scrutinize whether or not the show and the performers themselves are lewd and indecent.

“Depende sa tan-aw sa otoridad. Ug sa among tan-aw grabe na, nga gahubo na g’yud ‘na diha, dakpon g’yud. (It depends on the authorities. If we see that it is lewd or when they are getting naked, they will be arrested),” the police official explained.

Senior Supt. Armando Radoc, chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division 7, said individuals who are found guilty of such indecency will be punished under the provincial ordinance, citing the previous Lenten incident in Bantayan, Cebu involving actress Maui Taylor and two others.

Supt. Glenn Ares, deputy provincial director for administration of the Cebu Provincial Police Office that covers Bantayan Island, said they will be deploying at least 42 personnel in the area alone to secure tourists expected to flock there this Lenten Season.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office director Mariano Natuel, Jr. yesterday distributed copies of tips Cebuanos and travelers should bear in mind to secure themselves this Holy Week.

To avoid being victims of burglary, Natuel cautioned the people not to leave their houses unattended or should everyone leave, make sure that the house is properly locked. One can also request a known neighbor to look over the house, he recommended.

Natuel also warned travelers not to leave home appliances on to avoid fire incidence.

“Sa panahon sa kagabhi-on, atong girekomendar nga pasigaon ang mga suga palibot sa atong panimalay. Dili modawat og bisita nga dili nimo sinati o kaila aron dili mabiktima sa pagpangilad. (During nighttime, we recommend that they turn on the lights surrounding the house. Do not accept strangers or visitors whom you are not familiar with so that you will not be victimized by swindlers),” the CCPO director added.

The police directors of the different police offices in Cebu have prepared security plans for the public who will be observing the Lenten Season starting next week.

The Philippine National Police, as a whole, reactivated its “Oplan Bantay Lakbay”, the nationwide security plan that aims to secure motorists and commuters while they travel to their destinations. —(FREEMAN)