Holy Week “generally peaceful”

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has considered the observance of the Holy Week as generally peaceful with zero related incidents.

CCPO Operations Branch Chief Wilbert Parilla, who had assessed the situation during the duration of the Holy Week, described it as “peaceful.”

“Nagmalinawon ang tibuok siyudad sa Sugbu sa semana santa.  Wala ta’y nakita nga dagkong kakulian nga makaingon ta makadisturbo sa kalinaw karon semana santa,” Parilla said.

He said most of the busy streets were deserted, as most of the people were gathered in churches, ports, and terminals, from Wednesday until Sunday.

The CCPO, which was in full alert status, has ensured that all their personnel are intact said that cops deployed will continue until dawn of Monday.

“Hangtod pa na sa kadlawn ang atong deployment kay we want to make sure pud nga safe makauli ang manukad gikan sa mga terminals, ports, ug piers,” Parilla said.

Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Police Office director Police Colonel Manuel Abrugena said that security plan for the lent worked “successfully.”

“We can say that our security plan worked well. Police presence in strategic areas around the province helped a lot in assuring the public that our police are ready to assist them anytime,” Abrugena said.

He added that no major incident took place in the observance of Holy Week.

They will also be conducting a debriefing with the major officers, to determine which areas need improvement.

“Our ground commanders are still assessing what have been our weakness, issues and concerns,” he said.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) also reported a peaceful Holy Week.

CCTO Operations Chief Francisco Ouano said less vehicles and trucks were seen running around the city during the Holy Week since most of the residents are in their respective towns.

"Yes (peaceful), makita gyud nato nga wala diri ang mga tawo nagbakasyon. Ang uban dili gani mogawas sa ilahang balay," Ouano told The FREEMAN.

He added the traffic situation in areas near churches and stations of the cross is even normal, adding they did not observe heavy traffic despite the presence of the people.

The more than 400 traffic enforcers have not also issued citation tickets or impounded the vehicles of traffic violators.

"So far wala man kay mingaw ang dalan. Ang mga tawo dili kaayo ingon ana kadaghan kay lagi naa sila sa ilahang mga probinsya nagselebrar sa Holy Week," Ouano said.

Starting today, the prohibition of traffic enforcers to take vacation leave will be lifted, Ouano said.

The CCTO expects moderate traffic condition today, since the public will be returning to the city for work and other important transactions.

"Magsugod na og balik ang mga tawo ugma kay Monday man, tingbalik na sa trabaho. So basin, maka-experience ta og moderate traffic or worst heavy traffic during peak hours," Ouano said.

Usually, the horrendous traffic occur during peak hours which are from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. (FREEMAN)