CEBU, Philippines - An estimated 3,000 people yesterday morning welcomed the arrival of the image of the Our Lady of the Rule at the terminal port of Muelle Osmeña at Barangay Poblacion in Lapu-Lapu City, after the fluvial procession.
Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, the entire event was generally peaceful with no untoward incident recorded all throughout, from the procession to the arrival of the patron saint’s icon.
“Very solemn ang pag-conduct nato sa fluvial procession and, by God’s grace, no untoward incident (happened),” he said, adding that sea marshals, on board jet skis and pump boats, secured the fluvial procession.
Radoc said he deployed 175 police personnel, including 254 force multipliers, to ensure the safety and security among the devotees of the Our Lady of the Rule, which was on board a yacht escorted by about 70 pump boats.
Representatives from the city’s 30 barangays, government employees and devotees of the holy image joined the fluvial procession that passed by the coastal barangays of Marigondon, Agus, Maribago and Mactan.
The image and its entourage turn around Mangal Point, the tip-most part of the Barangay Punta Engaño, then sailed through the waters off Barangays Ibo and Pusok, before passing under the Marcelo Fernan Bridge and the Mandaue Mactan Bridge.
The Our Lady of the Rule arrived at the port at around 10 a.m., where Mayor Paz Radaza, her daughter Representative Aileen Radaza, Vice Mayor Marcial Ycong and City Councilor Harry Radaza carried the image to Virgen dela Regla Parish church, where other city officials welcomed them. A Holy Mass was later celebrated.
The second day for the nine-day novena of Our Lady of the Rule will start today for the city’s two day fiesta celebration on November 20 to 21. (FREEMAN)