No mobile signal during Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — Mobile signal shutdown will be implemented today during the Sinulog Festival as part of the security measures being implemented by the police.

Newly-installed Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 Director Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery told reporters in a press conference that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will heed the request they submitted Friday morning.

The decision to shutdown of mobile signal was only finalized last Friday during a meeting with different law enforcement agencies and local government units.

Yesterday, signal was also shut down during the procession.

Senior Superintendent Julian Entoma, Cebu City Police Office operations-in-charge, said two-way hand held radio sets were distributed to sector commanders to ensure communication during the Sinulog activities even with the signal shutdown.

Authorities reiterated that the measure is an additional security component for the grand parade.

But they stressed they have not monitored any security threat and Central Visayas continues to be safe from atrocities.

"Just to be sure, I asked for selective shutting down of areas. During the major event lang na ma-shut down siya," Quenery said.

Lt. General Paul Atal, commander of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command (AFP-CentCom), also said that their intelligence units have assured there is no threat to the Sinulog celebration.

In a related development, Quenery said the PNP in Cebu is on full alert status and ready should President Rodrigo Duterte decide to visit Cebu for the festival.   (FREEMAN)