CCPO prepares buses for quarantine violators

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will be deploying buses to be utilized as holding areas for churchgoers who will violate the quarantine rules.

Wilbert Parilla, CCPO director for operations, said the buses will be on standby outside the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral and the St. Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church.

“Daghan kaayo og badlungon. Hatagan ng warning, di gihapon mopatuo,” he said.

The buses will be utilized as briefing areas where violators will be lectured on quarantine rules.

The two churches were chosen after police noted several churchgoers violating quarantine rules, including social distancing and bringing of children younger than 15 years old.

Minors are prohibited from physically attending the traditional Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, due to the threat of the coronavirus, this year’s Misa de Gallo, which signals the start of the Filipino Christmas season, enforces health protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks.

The new move was agreed upon during the meeting by officials of CCPO and the Cebu City Emergency Operations Center (EOC), which oversees the city’s fight against coronavirus, following the huge crowds during first three days of the Misa de Gallo.

As far as the fourth day and fifth day of the Misa de Gallo, EOC and CCPO have observed fewer number of churchgoers due to typhoon Vicky.

But a slight increase in the number of churchgoers was noted yesterday.

“The situation in churches, including the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, is already manageable unlike the prior days,” said Parilla.

CCPO deployed 50 more personnel to enforce the minimum health protocols and to help manage the crowd  at the Basilica. — KQD (FREEMAN)