4T cops in streets for Sinulog
About 4,000 police personnel will be deployed during the celebration of Sinulog 2018 and they will strictly enforce city ordinances and policies specifically set for the festivities.
Supt. David Señor, chief of Operations in Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), told reporters that the number of personnel to be deployed next year is more than this year’s deployment.
Señor said they learned their lesson this year that the number of policemen deployed was overpowered by the unruly crowd.
He added that Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has 1,100 personnel and 600 of them will be deployed and the remaining personnel will be on duty in their respective stations.
He requested an additional 1,190 personnel from the Regional Public Safety Battalion and there will be several covert cops.
Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 director, said he will also tap personnel from Negros Oriental and Bohol.
Espino added that deployment will start on the first day of the novena mass set on January 11.
He revealed that among the changes to be implemented is the clearing of vendors within the 200-meter radius around the Basilica del Sto. Niño to decongest the streets.
Espino assured that Central Visayas remains safe from terrorist threat.
The shutting down of cellular phone signals will depend on the terrorist threats monitored by the Regional Intelligence Division—
Mae Clydyl L. Avila/MBG