For Sinulog, IEC: 1,400 more cops now deployed

CEBU, Philippines - More than 1,400 augmentation police personnel are now deployed in the streets of Cebu City as Sinulog activities start and the International Eucharistic Congress set to follow. 

Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan, director of Police Regional Office-7, briefed yesterday the police officers before sending them off for deployment.

“I told them to be alert, vigilant and most important, keep the people protected and safe. Yung magkaroon ng tao ng feeling of protection kung nandiyan sila sa streets,” said Gaerlan, adding he reminded them they are not there only for police visibility, but to maintain peace and order.

Further, Gaerlan said he instructed his men to serve the people beyond their roles as policemen as long as they can.

“I also told them to assist their fellow Filipinos or Cebuanos, kahit hindi na police matters. Assist them but except asking or accepting money,” said Gaerlan.

The augmentation personnel came from Police Regional Office-7 headquarters, Mandaue City Police Office, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, Cebu Provincial Police Office, Bohol Provincial Police Office, Siquijor Provincial Police Office and from the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7.

The 1,400 cops formed the augmentation force to the 1,000 police personnel of the Cebu City Police Office.

Gaerlan said these policemen were just part of the number of officers tasked to secure the big event on Sunday, as well as the IEC, which will take place a week after. For the two events, the police leadership plans to deploy 4,000 cops.

“Marami pa yan. Ito lang yung naka uniform. We have force multipliers and we have non-uniformed personnel pa na nakakalat,” said Gaerlan.

He said the allocated meal allowance for the detailed policemen will be P150 per day, not in cash, but in kind. This allowance is in addition to the existing allowance included in the salary of the cops.

Gaerlan said if the Cebu City government will help them in terms of additional budget for the policemen’s meal, they would greatly appreciate it.

“They are not obligated but if they can, then maraming salamat,” said Gaerlan.

Further, he warned criminals not to take advantage of the big event.

“Magugulat na lang sila, may nandadampot na sa likod nila. Sa community naman, please inform immediately if they see suspicious persons so that we can take the necessary police action,” said the regional director.

Meanwhile, the police are coordinating with the different Muslim communities in the region as part of their security preparations for the 51st IEC.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas clarified that there are no indications that terror groups will sabotage the activity and that the Muslim community is helping the police achieve a secure environment in the region.

“We assure you that we have very close ties with the (Muslim) community, anything mabantayan nila nga ilang nakit-an disrupt sa kalihokan ila na’ng ipahibalo nato,” Lawas said.

Lawas said different law enforcement agencies are ready with the security preparations, but added they should not be complacent.

On Tuesday, Ad Hoc Task Group Cebu on Sinulog and International Eucharistic Congress met to adjust the security undertakings in case any calamity would occur.

Lawas said among the major challenges that the task groups are facing are on crowd control, traffic management, and prevention of petty crimes.

 “Ato ni’ng i-polish day by day kung naa tay makit-an wala mahiuyon sa response, atong korihi-an aron ma-final,” he added.  (FREEMAN)