2 million witness this year’s Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — About two million people braved the erratic weather yesterday just to witness this year’s Sinulog Grand Parade and the religious activities, which ones again prove the devotion to the Holy Child Sr. Santo Niño even without the regular entertainments.

Authorities considered the event as peaceful with zero major incidents recorded.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) operations-in-charge and ground commander for Sinulog 2018 Senior Superintendent Julian Entoma said that the crowd turnout was out of faith, and not just because of the parties which were considered as enticement to tourists.

"Mga devotees gyud ni siya dili man necessary tungod kay naa inom modaghan na ang tawo.  Ang atoa diri sa Sto. Niño may inom man o wala daghan gyud tawo," Entoma said.

He said that there were no reported arrests within the 300-meter radius, where the liquor and entertainment ban were imposed.

However, CCPO is still consolidating the number of individuals who were arrested for drunkenness, outside the 300-meter radius.

"May mga nadakpan nga hubog, but dili ingun siya nag-inom within the 300-meter radius," Entoma said.

Stephen Lumendas, 23, who frequently watch the Sinulog, said that the festivity this year was more peaceful despite the absence of parties.

"Mas safe siya karon, bibo gihapon, pero medyo mingaw man," Lumendas said.

Despite the tight security provided by the PNP, AFP, and the Philippine Navy, there are still several people who crossed the rope barricade along the road, which momentarily caused a commotion along Fuente Osmeña and the General Maxilom Avenue.

A group of volunteers from Cebu K9 Crowd Control Volunteer also joined the security forces of the PNP with their trained K9 dogs to assure the safety of all those who witnessed the event along the streets and in the grand stand.

Ronde Cortes, Vice President Cebu K9 Crowd control volunteer, said that this is their own way to thank the holy child, Sr. Santo Niño.

He added that this is their third year to participate and helped the PNP in keeping the public safe during the Sinulog celebration.

Based on the latest collated information of the Theft and Robbery Section of the CCPO and the Fuente Osmeña Police Station, four foreign tourists fell victim to pickpockets. However, one of them did not press charges.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 and other counterpart law enforcement agencies deployed a stronghold of more than 5,000 personnel including auxiliary forces stationed in the whole 5.3 kilometers of the Sinulog route.

For the whole duration of the grand parade, phone signals were shut down from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Senior Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, PRO-7 spokesman, said that signal shutdown was made to ensure the security and safety of the public.

Despite the criticisms, he said it was better to take preventive measures to ensure safety.

Authorities have previously clarified that the shutdown was not triggered by any form of threats.

He said that police were able to make it through the cell site shutdown due to the two-way radio distributed to station commanders.

"If we all know, the PNP and all other security forces naka-receive ug komentaryo sa signal shutdown.  Di ibaylo ang pagpanaway sa pagsiguro nga safe ang Cebu," Tolentin said.

One of the few problems they have encountered is along the stretch of General Maxilom and Gorordo Avenue crossing Echavez street due to the rowdy crowd who are pushing people forward just to have a glimpse of the contingents.

Tolentin said that some of the 250 back-up personnel were immediately deployed to dispel the unruly crowd.

He said there are rooms for improvement especially the crowd control on critical spots, especially along Mango Avenue.

No stampede was recorded though, despite the rowdy crowd along the Sinulog route. (FREEMAN)