Early security deployment, entertainment ban keep Holy Week observance peaceful
The early deployment of personnel and the implementation of a temporary entertainment ban during the Holy Week have helped maintain peace and order, said top police officials and a Cebu City official.
“Nakatulong ‘yung checkpoints at motor stops na ginawa ng police stations natin. ‘Yung Bisikleta Iglesia rin ay inikot lahat ng simbahan tsaka yung Swat natin may advance positioning sa mga areas (Checkpoints helped and the Bisikleta Iglesia checked all the churches. The Swat team was positioned in some areas),” said Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Joel Doria.
City Intelligence Branch (CIB) Chief Cristopher Navida said that members of the Barangay Intelligence Network helped in securing and monitoring religious activities in churches and other places with crowds.
“We coordinated with intelligence communities from other agencies including those in Mindanao, and negative tayo sa threats ng terrorism so far,” said Navida.
In the province, Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) Director Edgar Allan Okubo said that the Holy Week was also generally peaceful.
“There were around 25,000 people who flocked to Bantayan Island. In Sta. Fe, the beach resorts were notably peaceful unlike before when they played loud music,” said Okubo.
Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak, meanwhile, said there were no reported major incidents in the city in the past three days.
“Our initial assessment as of this time (March 31) is that it has been generally peaceful,” he told reporters.
Last March 27, Mayor Tomas Osmeña signed an executive order (EO) implementing a temporary entertainment ban from 11 p.m. of March 29 (Holy Thursday) until 5 a.m. of March 31 (Black Saturday).
EO 038 prohibits the holding of discos, videokes, concerts and mini concerts, shows, gigs, live band performances, events, and parties. These also include activities that entail or require putting up or using loud speakers and other sound devices, all other acts and activities creating loud and disturbing music, and other similar activities. However, religious activities requiring the use of microphones, megaphones, sound systems and the like are exempted.
Tumulak, who chairs the council committee on peace and order, said establishments, especially bars on Gen. Maxilom Ave. stopped their operations on time last Thursday.
Restaurants also temporarily stopped selling liquor during the Holy Week. “Mao na ni atong buhaton kada Holy Week kay kinahanglan na solemn gyud (We will do this every Holy Week to keep it solemn),” he said.
Mayor Osmeña, for his part, said he finds it a positive development that only very few continued to create noise, compared to last year.