4T cops to secure Sunday’s Sinulog

CEBU, Philippines - Anticipating a heavy influx of revelers and devotees this Sunday, the Police Regional Office-7 will deploy at least 4,000 policemen in the streets of Cebu City for the Sinulog Grand Parade.

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, PRO-7 deputy regional director for operations, said the number is higher compared to those deployed during the Sinulog activities last year.

He said that with the Cebu City Police Office having only around 1,000 personnel, an augmentation force from Mandaue City Police Office, Lapu-lapu City PO, Bohol Provincial PO ,Cebu PPO, Siquijor PPO and the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 will arrive in Cebu City on Thursday so that there are policemen in the streets for 24 hours that day.

The additional policemen will be housed at the Cebu International Convention Center after the Cebu provincial government gave PRO-7 permission to utilize the facility.

Meanwhile, Aviation Security Group 7 Chief Joselito Salido said he was also requesting augmentation from PRO-7 as the number of arriving passengers has already doubled due to the fiesta festivities and 51st International Eucharistic Congress.

He said the Mactan-Cebu International Airport is jam-packed with passengers, both local and foreign, coming in.

Salido said AVSEGROUP-7 would also deploy covert operatives and K9 units in the airport to improve security not only at the MCIA but also the airporters in

Tagbilaran City and in Dumaguete City.

He said that aside from providing security, airport personnel will also assist and guide foreigners in taking taxis or vans so they would not be defrauded or tricked by some drivers.

Salido said that if their request gets approved, their augmentation personnel would come from the RPSB-7 to checkpoints at the airport entrance while criminology interns will be utilized to provide security support. (FREEMAN)