Cellular signal blocked if Sinulog security threat arises

CEBU CITY – Cellular sites may be shut down during Sinulog even without advising the public, once authorities receive a security threat.

The switching off of cellphone connections is one of the measures that will be implemented if police get wind of such a threat especially on January 21, the height of the annual festivity.

Cebu City Police Office Deputy Director for Administration Artemio Ricabo told reporters the public will not be informed of the cellular shutdown so as not to cause alarm.

Ricabo said that to help the police monitor criminal activities they invited 46 hotel and pension house managers and 36 hotel representatives to a meeting Wednesday to brief them of their responsibilities during Sinulog.

Chief Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay, commander of Abellana Police Station, reminded them of City Government Executive Order 30 which bans parties, the selling of alcoholic beverages within 300 meters of the Sinulog parade route, and the implementation of the liquor ban.

Macatangay asked hotel and pension house management to report suspicious people and activities.

The Sinulog kicked off Thursday with the early morning procession from Fuente Osmeña to Osmeña Boulevard to the Basilica Minore del Santo Nino for the start of the nine-day prayers for the feast of Senor Sto. Nino.

At least 80,000 devotees joined the procession. The Novena mass was celebrated by Fr. Pacifico Nohara Jr., the rector of the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño.

In his homily Nohara urged Catholics to remain true to their faith by continuing their devotion to the child Jesus.

Nohara described how Cebuanos are truly blessed since they have the original image of Sto. Niño.