Cops, Church relax “backpack” rule

CEBU, Philippines — The “no-backpack policy” imposed around the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño made wonders for the police as it resulted to zero theft or robbery incident in the area, the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) claimed.

CCPO Director Royina Garma attributed this to the effective implementation of security and safety plans, including the prohibition of backpacks inside the premises of the Basilica Minore del Sto. Nino.

She said that notorious robbers’ modus operandi, include using backpacks as a decoy to bump the victims that they are targeting.

She said most of the time, robbers also cover their hands using backpacks in order to rob mass-goers.

“Ang maganda wala tayong incident of theft, kasi minsan sa mga modus ginagawang pang screen ang backpack para makapangdukot. Big bags, big maleta, they use that to bump you and you will not know that you are being robed, kaya isa din yan sa reason,” she said.

Garma said they have made adjustments in their barriers because there are a few who are attending Masses and who have companions inside to whom they would just pass their bags.

CCPO, through its Police Community Relations office, has also reached out universities in the city to inform students that they are prohibited in bringing backpacks.

Garma reiterated that rules for the novena masses and other activities are put in place to help law enforcers ensure zero Sinulog-related incident until the feast day on the 20th.

She admitted law enforcers are limited and securing 800,000 people a day with most of them using backpacks will delay the flow of movement and hamper police in monitoring faces of rouge criminals that may victimize people during mass.

“Please cooperate na lang sa security, ang nangyayari may argument instead of time identifying sa persons na dapat bantayan, nawawalan na kami ng focus because ang time nako-consume to explain and search the bags,” Garma said.

As this developed, the organizers of Fiesta Señor 2019 have adjusted their policies at the basilica to make sure that no Catholic is deprived of his or her will and right to practice one's devotion.

Fr. Aladdin Luzon of the Augustinian Order, who are spearheading the religious activity, and the director of the Safety, Security, Peace and Order cluster, told The FREEMAN that it was agreed during a multi-agency meeting that people bringing small and medium bags may be allowed to enter the basilica.

But huge bags, like that of hiking or travelling bags, are still prohibited.

Fr. Luzon said the deployed policemen are now given their own discretion or sound judgment on which backpacks may be considered.

He, however, said not all security personnel implemented this when a go signal was given on Sunday because those in the other shifts were yet informed.

He said, for now, the security team are slowly transitioning in implementing the changes of the policy with regard to bringing backpacks.

Fr. Luzon said the changes were thoroughly discussed by officials hearing the clamor from the public especially from students and workers who tirelessly take time from their busy schedule to join the novena Masses.

He said the police ground commander also shared the same sentiment, seeing the actual effects of the policy. (FREEMAN)