Vessels defy assigned fluvial routes

CEBU, Philippines – At least 20 vessels may be prohibited from joining next year’s fluvial procession after they were found not following their designated lanes yesterday.

The Naval Forces Central immediately called the attention of the ship captains of Starcraft 7, Ilocos Norte Coast Guard, and a private yacht, among others, while the procession was going on.

Navforcen spokesperson Lt. James Reyes said the vessels were seen trailing just meters away from the galleon that ferried the miraculous image of the Holy Child and of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Lt. Reyes said just like the rest, the vessels in question were supposed to tail behind the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard vessels and not inch very close to the galleon.

Reyes said they will come up with the final list of violating vessels and will forward it to PCG for appropriate action or sanctions.

He said the Navforcen might recommend for exclusion of these vessels from next year’s issuance of permit.

“Hindi pasasalihin sa susunod para hindi sila tularan ng iba kasi what’s the essence of our coordination conference if pagdating sa actual nawawala ang pinag-usapan? Lahat ng hindi sumunod sa ating regulation, we will forward (their names) to Coast Guard dahil sila ang magpapataw (ng sanctions),” Reyes said.

But even if some vessels “disobeyed” the procession agreement, the entire ceremony went without a hitch, according to Reyes.

“Walang nagbanggaan na mga bangka. Sana next time, yung mga devotees sundin lahat ng ating pinag-usapan para lalong organized ang ating procession. Nagpapasalamat pa rin ako kasi maganda ang kinalabasan ng procession,” he said.

During the fluvial procession, Navforcen deployed eight vessels, three rubber boats equipped with diving gears, a utility boat and 300 organic personnel.

Delayed slightly

PCG reported no maritime incident yesterday and pegged the total number of participating vessels at 106.

About 61 vessels of ship owners and boat operators were registered for procession.

These were in addition to the 45 vessels of PCG and other concerned agencies, like the AFP-Central Command, Navy, Red Cross, Bantay Dagat, 201st PCG and 202nd PCG units and volunteers from Coast Guard Auxiliary, that secured and controlled the procession’s flow.

Smaller vessels and boats that were unregistered but still joined the procession were also regulated by about 100 sea marshals.

Cebu station commander Rodolfo Villajuan said the actual arrival of the image at Pier 1 was delayed by 30 minutes compared to the time it took during an earlier dry run.

The galleon left Ouano Wharf at 6 a.m. yesterday and arrived at Pier 1 past 8 a.m.

Villajuan said they even sailed with an increased speed of seven knots instead of the five knots during the dry run.

Also, even with the gale warning being raised in Cebu, Villajuan said the sea condition remained good during the entire parade.

“Pasalamat pa rin tayo sa Panginoon kahit na signal number 1 tayo dito, still maganda naman yung condition ng karagatan at medyo mahina lang ang hangin na na-experience natin,” he said.

Assessment

The police, meanwhile, described yesterday’s fluvial parade in Mactan Channel and the arrival of the image of Sr. Sto. Niño back in Cebu City as “smooth and peaceful.”

Senior Supt. Conrad Capa, officer-in-charge of Cebu City Police Office, said the crowd was contained by the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command upon the galleon’s arrival at Pier 1.

Throughout the duration of the procession, thousands flocked to the shores as red and yellow balloons dotted the sky after being released by the devotees who lifted and waved their hands at the galleon.

Capa, also the deputy director for operations of Police regional Office-7, said prior warnings urging the public not to bring balloons did not seem to stop some of the revelers. Others were even seen using firecrackers, he said.

But while firecrackers were used and helium-inflated balloons seen during the procession, Villajuan said these came from those who were from other places which were not inspected earlier.

“Talagang bumabait ang mga taga-Cebu. Hindi matitigas ang mga ulo. So kinukontrol lang nga mga marshals. Yung mga firecrackers at balloons, hindi naakyat lahat ng vessels kanina. Ang iba nanggaling pa sa ibang lugar. At least, natapos ang procession,” he said.

Aside from firecrackers and balloons, liquors, drugs, firearms and any kind of deadly weapon were also prohibited during the procession.  — Kristine B. Quintas, Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento and Bryner L. Diaz/JMD (FREEMAN)