BO-PK sets grand rally at CCSC this Saturday

CEBU, Philippines —  The candidates of Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK) will have their first grand rally at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC) this Saturday, April 2, 2022.

Former city councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, BOPK’s standard-bearer, announced in her official Facebook page the upcoming event, which will be attended by vice presidential candidate Senator Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and the cast of the country’s long-running noon-time variety show Eat Bulaga.

“Personal ko nga mangimbitar kaninyo sa atong unang grand rally uban sa atong pinanggang Senator Tito Sotto. Kita-kita ta didto! Atong isyagit ang kabaguhan ug kauswagan alang sa dakbayan sa Sugbo!” said Osmeña.

She added it will be an open gate event, and on a first come, first serve basis.

Osmeña reminded those who will attended to always wear face mask and follow the minimum health protocols.

Strict Security

Strict security measures will be enforced during a political rally, according to the police.

Lt. Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that they have already met representatives from various agencies to discuss the preparation for the upcoming event.

“We studied kung asay angay pa na i-improve base sa nahitabong atong niaging event (Arat Na Cebu concert) diri sa Cebu City and we guarantee that dili nato mahitabo balik,” said Macatangay.

Macatangay said they have already issued a “strong requirement” for the organizers to comply with to conduct the event.

For the rally, CCPO will be doubling deployment for the Arat na Cebu concert to ensure that the area security will be properly implemented.

During the Arat na Cebu concert, CCPO deployed a total of 245 cops.

“We have to make sure that organizers also will be able to perform their duties as organizers. Naa man tay mga ordinansa, naa tay mga requisites nga kailangan, and if di nila no mahimo, we will be recommending whatever is necessary to the council," said Macatangay.

Among those that the organizers need to submit is a security plan for the event, which must be followed accordingly.

Macatangay also said that among those they will be checking is proof of identification that a spectator going into the venue is not a minor.

The CCPO said it will not be needing augmentation cops from other units since it will be maximizing its organic personnel.

Health Protocols

Councilor Joel Garganera, Emergency Operations Center (EOC) deputy chief implementer, also gave reminded would-be participants to protect themselves by following health protocols.

“Ang moadto sa kutob moadto didto, palihug, you have to protect yourself so the only way to protect yourself is mag-face mask mo unya. Og dili gani mo bakunado, ang akong advice lang sad nga crowd na siya so really ayaw gyud na kuhaa ang face mask ninyo,” said Garganera.

“Kami sa EOC, dili man mi ingon nga mo-require nga only fully vaccinated but that should be part already of your muscle memory. In a big gathering like that, you have to protect yourself,” he added.

Garganera said that the city government has already a template at the CCSC, so the in-charge and police, Quick Response Team, and the disaster team are already in place.

“We’ll just pray nga maayo ang panahon kay og mag-uwan gani, that’s another story. As I’ve said before, basta outdoor lang, compliant kita niana,” he said.

He also mentioned that it is up to the organizers if they would require vaccination card. — Iris Hazel M. Mascardo, JMD (FREEMAN)