Public told: Don’t see 500 YOC motorcade

CEBU, Philippines —  A human barrier that will look out for those who will insist on joining the 40-minute motorcade is among the security measures police will put in place during the 500 Years of Christianity celebration.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Colonel Josefino Ligan advised the Catholic faithful to do away with witnessing the motorcade as it will pass by fast.

He added that their daily critiquing sessions on the planned security measures already started yesterday.

According to Ligan, they already conducted a run-through of the implementation of the security plan for the  motorcade, which will start at the the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño and will last for about 42 minutes to an hour.

As part of the security measures, the police have determined the areas where people are expected to flock to watch the motorcade.

"And gi-determine na nato ang mga checkpoints area, labi na tong mga areas nga ang mga tawo gusto motan-aw sa motorcade, so mag-atang," said Ligan.

In line with this, the police are eyeing to put up physical barriers or deploy police personnel to act as human barriers to control the possible influx of crowd.

"With the number (of personnel) that we have in Cebu City, I think kaya man because ang CRBn (Crisis Response Battalion) naa pa man. Lahi man gyud nang human barrier nga maoy mobadlong, labi nag naka-uniform," said Ligan.

Ligan, however, appealed to public to, as much as possible, avoid physically witnessing the motorcade since it will just quickly pass by.

"In short, ang dagan sa motorcade is paspas. Kung ang nga tawo mag-atang, blur ra na sa ila," said Ligan.

The CCPO is yet to decide on the specific number of police personnel to be deployed since there is still no specific engagement areas for the celebration.

Meanwhile, as the Lenten season nears, Ligan said they are closely coordinating with the Carbon Public Market officials on the directive against overcrowding at the market.

"We are implementing a good season na sa Carbon Market man, so we will implement the same and perhaps we will put up additional personnel," said Ligan.

"Atong target is to lower down the (COVID-19) cases, so strict implementation gihapon ta. Although eased naman ang movement sa tawo, but yung controlled nalang na ma-observe ang 50 percent capacity, ang physical distancing," he added.

Ligan said they are awaiting the LGU's decision on whether activities that will draw crowds will be allowed during the Lenten season. — JMD (FREEMAN)