Cebu police on red alert for Saturday's Sinulog festival

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The police here is on red alert to ensure a safe and secure celebration of the Sinulog festival on Sunday, which is expected to attract more than two million people on the street, and the feast of the Sto. Niño de Cebu.

The Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) has also been suspended with the declaration of a gun ban in the entire Cebu City inline with the festivities, said Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Officer Senior Supt. Louie Oppus.

Oppus said the temporary gun ban is good for 15 days which took effect last Jan. 7 and will last until Jan. 21 as part of the stringent security measures the police are adopting to ensure peace and order.

The suspension of the permit to carry, signed by PNP Chief Gen. Raul Bacalzo, has been requested by the Cebu City Police Office for the duration of the Sinulog festivities as last year's implementation of the temporary gun ban was highly effective in deterring armed elements.

Oppus warned those carrying firearms, even those with license, will be apprehended if they violate the PTCFOR. Violators will be charged in court while the penalty means imprisonment of one month and one day to a maximum of six months and even revocation of their license, he said.



Meanwhile, over 2,000 policemen will be deployed in the streets during the Sinulog Mardi Gras this Sunday to ensure that peace and order is maintained as more than two million spectators are expected to dot the carousel route.

CCPO Director Melvin Buenafe said policemen in uniform and in plainclothes for covert operations will be spread throughout strategic areas to prevent any untoward incidents.

The number of police security forces from the CCPO to secure the forthcoming street parade has already been substantially augmented by the PRO 7 which provided an augmentation of 800 police personnel.

PRO-7 Regional Director Ager P. Ontog Jr. said security planning for the Sinulog 2011 has been tackled since last year knowing how important the event is in Cebu.

Meanwhile, expecting tons of garbage to be collected during the grand Sinulog celebration, the Region 7 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR7) has urged local officials and the public to minimize waste production as a way to help the environment.

Newly installed DENR7 regional director Maximo Dichoso said since millions of Cebuanos and other local and foreign tourists are expected to flock in the streets this weekend.
source: mb.com.ph/