Metro cops augment Sinulog, IEC security

CEBU, Philippines – Police personnel from at least two component cities in the first district will be deployed in Cebu City to help maintain peace and order during the Sinulog Festival and the International Eucharistic Congress.

Superintendent Germano Mallari, chief of Talisay City police, said 20 of his men were sent to help secure the two big activities in the capital city.

He said he made some adjustments on his men's work schedules for the station to maintain efficiency in its daily operations.

"Dili gyud ta molugak sa atong trabaho kay ang mga kriminal naniid ra pud na sa kapulisan," Mallari said.

He also urged the public to again be vigilant to avoid criminals and not to depend on the authorities. He also asked the barangay tanods in different barangays to maintain peace and order situation of the city.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Jovito Canlapan, chief of Naga City Police Station, said he also sent 20 personnel for the two big events. He said the deployed personnel will serve in Cebu City for 20 days for their temporary assignment.

To answer their own lack of manpower, Canlapan said they will tap force multipliers as replacement of the 20 personnel for the meantime. He said these multipliers will help in checkpoint operations in crime-prone areas of Naga.

In Minglanilla, Police Chief Inspector Franco Oriol said they sent 16 police personnel to assist in the events. He said they will just maximize the personnel left in their area of responsibility so that their daily routine will not be affected that much.

Minglanilla police conduct checkpoints twice a day.

"Ang ato diha mao lang gyud ang pag-antos kay mao man kini ang atong gipanumpaan nga mohatag og kahapsay ug kalinaw sa atong lugar para pud sa atong mga katawhan," Oriol said. (FREEMAN)