Holy week security preparation; Police to focus on places expected to draw people

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) is now intensifying its security preparations for the Holy Week, particularly focusing on places that are expected to draw thousands of people.

Chief Inspector Gerard Pelare, who heads the provincial operations and plans of the CPPO, said they will focus and deploy more personnel on Bantayan Island and in the towns of San Remigio and Minglanilla.

"Ang atong focus ang Minglanilla, dayon Bantayan island ug San Remigio.  Ang tao diha daghan kaayo labi na sa katong mobisita  sa Bantayan Island," Pelare told reporters.

On Bantayan Island, Pelare said around 50 police personnel will be deployed.  They will also request augmentation personnel from Cebu City Police Office - Theft and Robbery Section.

Initially, the police on Bantayan Island requested for 30 police personnel.

"But we will give them 50 additional police personnel, para ma-ensure (ang area).  Then, mo-request ta sa Cebu City ( Police Station), TRS nila to help us identify katong mga usual na suspects nga mga manguguot, kay sila may mas nakahibalo kay taga Cebu City man kuno na sila," he said.

In Minglanilla, where the famous Kabanhawan Festival is going to be staged, Pelare said the CPPO's Provincial Public Safety Company (PPSC) will be deployed.

"Atong pa-chargeon diha (kay) PPSC, naa man ang Kabanhawan (festival). Sauna pud, naka-encounter ta diha og traffic, naka-encounter tag mga petty crimes," he added.

As for the town of San Remigio, Pelare has yet to give the specific number of policemen to deployed, as he is waiting for the augmentation force for Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit to go back to CPPO.

At least 863 personnel from CPPO were deployed to secure the ongoing ASEAN Summit.

"Naghuwat nalang ta na mobalik ang augmentation gikan sa ASEAN. Kita maoy nag-produce mainly (og police personnel) sa ASEAN. We expect nga madugangan pa na," he said.

Following the recent conflict between the Santa Fe Mayor and the parish priest, CPPO Director Eric Noble hopes that their misunderstanding will be fixed.

He, however, cannot comment on the situation as they are just police officers responsible for the peace and order of the island.

"Wala tayong ano dyan. Siguro in the end, magkaka-intindihan din yon," Noble said. (FREEMAN)