More cops to man, secure area: Intensified lockdown in Sitio Alaska, Mambaling

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City government will intensify the lockdown in sitio Alaska in Mambaling, the barangay with the most number of COVID-19 cases in the city at 629 as of yesterday, May 27.

Most of these cases are in Alaska, which prompted the city to put the sitio on lockdown on May 6.

The mayor’s spokesperson, Atty. Rey Gealon, said this means more police personnel will be deployed to the area for patrol and monitoring, especially with reports of residents violating lockdown guidelines.

“Dugang tropa sa kapulisan ang ibutang sa maong area para makamentinar sa ka-higpit ug ka-hapsay, ug kalinaw kay duna pa gyud ubay-ubay ka mga badlongon diha dapita sa sitio Alaska,” Gealon said.

(More policemen will be deployed to the area to maintain peace and order because there are many residents in sitio Alaska who don’t follow rules.)

Gealon said policemen are stationed at tents, especially near the bridge where a number of residents would go for a swim.

Policemen are also guarding the boundary of sitio Alaska and Vestil road.

“It is a lockdown na gipahugtan, gipa lig-onan dira nga area kay way lain tumong ug tinguha ang mayor sa atong mga igsoon dira sa sitio Alaska ug ubang sitio sa Mambaling nga maluwas sa sakit… dili mag takod-takod, wala’y daghan manggawas, magtapok, magkiat… mao naa ang mga miyembro sa kapulisan nga mubadlong nila,” Gealon said.

(It’s a heightened lockdown. Our mayor has no other intention but to make sure that the residents in Alaska and other sitios in Mambaling will be safe from the disease; that they don’t infect each other, that they don’t go out, that they don’t gather… so the policemen are there to call their attention if they don’t follow the rules.)

He reminded the residents of the executive orders Labella issued, which mandates Cebu City residents to always wear a mask, to observe social distancing, to avoid gatherings, and to stay at home while Cebu City is under enhanced community quarantine.

Sitio Alaska has around 22,000 residents.

Food Assistance

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 yesterday assured residents of Alaska that distribution of food to the area will not be hampered by the stricter lockdown.

"Rest assured that the community in Mambaling will be properly supported with those essential needs like food so we will not hamper the distribution of food," said PRO-7 Director Albert Ignatius Ferro.

For his part, Cebu City Police Director Josefino Ligan said those who wish to donate food to residents of Mambaling must channel the goods to the emergency operation center or the barangay. They will not be allowed to enter the area.

"Hindi sila pwedeng muadto diretso sad sa apektadong area because it's a lockdown area," Ligan said.

(They cannot go straight to the affected area because it’s a lockdown area.)

This also means residents of Alaska can no longer receive donations physically from donors even at the border.

"Wala na, bawal na. Basically, they cannot go out mao nang atoa nang gipamutangan og perimeter security. Naay mga police dira nga naay gibutangan ug mga barrier nga pisi kay katong nga tawo nga naay mag-abot ug pagkaon, bawal na gyud siya. Dili na pwede," Ligan said.

(That’s not allowed. Basically, they cannot go out, which is why there is perimeter security that is manned by policemen because those who wish to donate food can no longer hand it directly to the residents.)  JMO (FREEMAN)