Police ready for first visit of Simala’s Miraculous Mary

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 is 100 percent ready in its security plans for the first visit of the image of the Miraculous Mama Mary of Lindogon Simala, Sibonga town to the Archdiocese of Cebu and Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño next month.

 Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations in a press conference held at IEC Pavilion yesterday, said their security covers the departure of the image from Simala, Sibonga to Cebu City until its return to the town.

 "There will be 500 police personnel to be deployed during the said event," he said, adding that on October 6, the departure of Mama Mary, there will be 24 police vehicles and 30 motorcycles to assist during the caravan.

 "We are expecting huge number of devotees during the event," he said, adding they have another security group at the IEC Pavilion and Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño.

 The image of Mama Mary will depart on October 7 at 8 a.m.  from Lindogon, Simala and is expected to arrive at 11 a.m. at the IEC Pavilion in Mabolo, Cebu City where Archbishop Jose Palma will officiate a Holy Mass at 12 noon.

A Halad Concert will also be held at the IEC Pavilion on October 7 at 7:30 p.m. where Reverend Father Jonas Mejares O.S.A. will be one of the performers. Proceeds from the event will be used to build classrooms for Grades 11 and 12 of MMEA School in Lindogon, Sibonga.

On October 8, there will be a sendoff mass at the IEC Pavilion at 12 noon going to the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño.  A separate sendoff mass will also take place at the Basilica Minore Del Santo Niño at 10 a.m. on October 9 before the image is transported back to Marian Hills, Lindogon, Sibonga.

 Lawas asked for the cooperation of the public, as well as the devotees to adopt the safety measures and to bear with the possible congestion of roads.

 He, likewise, advised the devotees not to wear pieces of jewelry to avoid any untoward incident and to wear light materials.

 Aside from the PRO-7, organizers of the event, the Kapandesal Multipurpose Cooperative, disclosed that they are fully ready for the event. (FREEMAN)