Cops assure readiness during holidays, Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines — Less than two months before the series of major celebrations, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) wants to ensure it has enough vehicles and cops needed for deployment in densely-populated areas.

CCPO Director Royina Garma said she expects things to get hectic, starting off with the Simbang Gabi, in which the Catholic faithful would troop to the church at dawn.

After that, the police would also be focusing on Christmas, the New Year’s celebration and the observance of the fiesta of Señor Sto. Niño and the Sinulog Festival.

In preparation for these series of activities, at least a hundred cops from the regional headquarters’ Regional Mobile Force Battalion are expected to join CCPO’s forces before December.

She said that at least 35 arrived this week and they are expecting the rest before next month.

“I will be preparing them also para naman ma-familiarize nila yung area until January,” she said.

Garma admitted that even with the augmentation police, the ratio between the residents and policemen is still far from ideal. However, she assured the police will manage.

“During this time, depleted talaga ang tao natin, pero kakayanin.  Wala kaming choice kundi kayanin,” she said.

Policemen would be on a 12-hour shift, with a transition period of 24-hour duty to swap day shifters to night, and vice-versa.

She reiterated that the public should do their part and be vigilant during the season, as lawless elements are bound to take advantage.

Garma said the overall deployment design is underway, but has directed cops to conduct foot patrol since last week in converging areas, such as, markets, church and malls.

She said that most malls during the season will also have police assistance desks.

Aside from the CCPO personnel, Garma also had all the vehicles checked at the corresponding automobile shops for defect.

“All the way lahat ng vehicles kung may papalitan, papalitan para in preparation for December, and the major events that will follow.  Para ready na ang mga vehicle namin for deployment,” Garma said.

She said that expenses for most of the vehicles are no longer shouldered by the local government unit, but already, taken straight out of the Philippine National Police. — GAN (FREEMAN)