Garcia: No signal jam on Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has ruled out the possibility of signal jamming during the Sinulog 2025 celebration.

When asked about the measure, Garcia emphasized that no directive has been issued to enforce signal jamming.

“In fact, para nako, it is important and imperative that we have signal because of emergency purposes. We need communication,” Garcia told the media yesterday, Jan. 6, 2025.

In a separate interview, Councilor Joel Garganera, head of the Security Cluster for Sinulog 2025, echoed the mayor’s stance. He stated that signal jamming should not be implemented and noted that his coordination with the police has yielded no recommendation for such measures.

“What for? Ako, I cannot fathom why we would have signal jamming. Especially since the area is so large, how can you connect?” said Garganera, who said that signal jamming could do more harm than good.

The last time signal jamming was implemented during the Sinulog Grand Celebration was in 2020.

Garganera further said that they have already conducted a series of meetings with the police, who are in charge of crowd control. He noted that considering the return of the Sinulog celebration to the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) and the increase in the number of contingents to 42, they are facing multiple challenges that need to be addressed.

Among the issues they still need to address is the deployment of students enrolled in the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), who are now on their semestral break. According to Garganera, they were hoping to involve the students for crowd control.

As an alternative, Garganera said they will be requiring barangay tanods from each of the city's 80 barangays, which will total at least 800 tanods, to help in crowd control. There are also nearly 400 fire responders from each barangay who will be deployed to assist during the celebration.

Tomorrow, a send-off ceremony for the personnel who will be deployed for the Sinulog celebration will be held at the CCSC. At least 3,000 security personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Navy, police, barangay forces, and other force multipliers, are expected to take part in the ceremony.

“So, this is a show of force. There are at least 3,000. But on the final day, that number will double because we learned from our past experiences that whoever we deploy in the morning, will often be gone by the afternoon,” said Garganera.

He added that they are preparing extensive security measures, as they expect a larger crowd due to the increased number of contingents, which has tripled compared to the previous year. Garganera said they are expecting the maximum number of contingents, noting that the public is embracing the return of Sinulog to the CCSC.

Like the contingents, Garganera said they are also anticipating triple the number of spectators compared to last year's 3 million reported individuals who joined the festivities when the event was held at the South Road Properties (SRP).

Fraternities to help

Six fraternities and sororities in Cebu City yesterday also signed a pledge of commitment with the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to help maintain the peace and order during the Sinulog.

These fraternities and sororities are the Tau Gamma Phi, Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Phi Epsilon and Alpha Kappa Rho, whose respective representatives signed the pledge of commitment at the CCPO Conference Room.

The representatives of these fraternities and sororities pledge to support CCPO during the Sinulog, recognizing the importance of community safety and order during the celebration.

Based on the signed commitment, they commit to support the CCPO through the contribution of manpower, resources, and volunteer services; and to work collaboratively with local law enforcement and other community organizations to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all attendees.

“We commit to mobilizing our members to volunteer their time and efforts during the Sinulog celebrations in various capacities, including assisting with management and engaging in community outreach initiatives,” they assured.

The groups have also committed to promote awareness among their respective members and the community regarding public safety, responsible behavior, and adherence to local laws and ordinances during the festivities.

“As we embark on this commitment, we are proud to stand alongside the Cebu City Police Office and the entire community in making Sinulog 2025 a safe, memorable, and joyous celebration,” part of the pledge of commitment reads.

Police Colonel Antonietto Cañete, CCPO director, said that the cooperation of the fraternities and sororities is important, especially during the Sinulog festivities as they are the ones in full control of their respective members.

“During Sinulog 2025 Festival, again we appeal to you to impose discipline. Let us abide with the policies, the official rules and regulations issued by the local government,” said Col. Cañete.

“Being the advocate of peace and order they wanted that a preventive action must be done before we correct others, mas maganda ma prevent natin rather than to impose some corrective measures", Col. Cañete added. — Decemay P. Padilla  (FREEMAN)