Ban on balloons, but not on guns

The Police Regional Office (PRO)7 said there is no gun ban during the Sinulog.

Interestingly, the city is banning balloons.

“Ngano man? Ang mga balloon ang cause sa brownout, nahitabo last year nag-brownout ang dapit sa Sambag 1 ug diri sa Cogon, Ramos, gumikan sa balloon. Dinhi sad sa Sto. Niño, duna say brownout gumikan sa balloon,” Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office head Nagiel Bañacia said.

Starting today, all vendors of balloons are prohibited to sell along the Sinulog route and at the Basilica Miñore del Santo Niño in order to prevent untoward incidents.

Bañacia said due to their observations, it has been proven that balloons are “detrimental” to security and peaceful observation of Sinulog.

“Saun taman naabot naman sa panahon nga nakita nato ang balloon detrimental na sa security and sa continuous peaceful observance sa Fiesta Señor,” Bañacia said.

PRO-7 director Jose Mario Espino said there is no need to impose a gun ban since there's no report of illegal discharge of firearm during this time.

"No. based on last year's activities. No report of incidents making use of firearms. What I see in Sinulog 2018 is the city Mayor wants this Sinulog (to) be solemn. Kaya the security will focus on the orderliness ng kapaligiran," Espino said.

He added that based on their intelligence monitoring, it is unnecessary to recommend signal shutdown.

"As of this time, wala pa rin kaming natatanggap na threat that will suffice yung removing sa signal sa telcos," Espino said.

However, Espino said he is open to recommend signal shut down upon validation of a terror threat.

He assured that all security and safety plans are in place, with the implementation of the major event security framework, the same model used for International Eucharistic Congress and Association of Southeast Asian Nation Meetings.

Three sub-task groups for security, peace and order, emergency and response, are tasked to keep watch of the events during Sinulog.

"Prepared na tayo. We will be using major event security framework of the Philippine National Police. It will be an interagency commitment to make sure that the festivities will be peaceful and orderly," Espino said.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), for its part, has made efforts to disseminate anti-terroristic information to hotels and business owners.

Fuente Police Station Chief Maria Theresa Macatangay foresees that there would be an increase of complaints or reports in their station.

Macatangay is the station commander of most of the barangays composing the Sinulog route.

However, she assured that cops are ready to respond to alarms.

CCPO Operations-InCharge Artemio Ricabosaid that cops are ready for anti-criminality incidents, considering that lawless elements will also attempt to take advantage of unsuspecting civilians.

Bañacia said those caught violating the balloon policy will have their items confiscated. They would burst these balloons in an area away from people.

The disaster team, Philippine National Police and Division for the Welfare of the Urban Poor (DWUP) personnel are tasked to enforce the policy.

In a separate interview, DWUP Operations Head Genevieve Alcoseba told The FREEMAN she will meet Bañacia as to the implementation of the ban, since there are a number of vendors who were already given an accreditation from their office.

“Makigtabi pako ni Sir Nagiel ana. Ganiha lang ko kahibalo nga bawal diay, wala ko na-inform ahead. Unya nag-registration na baya mi. Ako ihangyo if pwede ang i-ban kato lang molupad nga balloon, ang katong stick dili lang,” she said.

Aside from banning of balloons, the public is prohibited to have pyrotechnics and fireworks display during solemn procession and other religious activities.

“I-ban nato ang pyrotechnics, labi na duol diha sa procession, wala gyud magpabuto. We must hold it as solemn as we decide for it, mag-ampo man ta ana. Of all religious activities diri sa Philippines, kita ang walay accident, simbako lang kay we observed safety rules,” Bañacia said.

CCDRRMO and the Philippine National Police encourages the public not wear backpacks for security purposes.

During the solemn procession on January 14, everyone is advised not to take pictures so that it could not hamper the flow of the procession.

“Ang mga nag-motor adto sa katapusan nga bahin kay sa naandan moipon sila sa mga taw. So karon og dili patuo, dakpon. Aron dili dakpon, adto sa luyo, dili mosagol sa taw naglakaw, sunod sakyanan,” Bañacia added.

Aside from the ambulances which will follow the bulk of people during the solemn procession, there are a number of ambulances stationed along the Sinulog route.

The route of the solemn procession is from Basilica del Sto. Niño, then proceed to Fuente Rotunda, right turn to General Maxilom Ave., right turn to Imus New Road, left turn to M.J. Cuenco Ave., right turn to F. Urdaneta Street, left turn to P. Burgos Street, right turn to Osmeña Blvd., and then back to Basilica del Sto. Niño.