Security details in place ahead of Holy Week

CEBU, Philippines — Over 1,300 security personnel will be deployed by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to ensure a peaceful and orderly Holy Week in the city this year.

The Cebu City Government, on the other hand, through Mayor Nestor Archival, has issued a reminder to Holy Week travelers to avoid bringing excessive baggage, noting that overloaded buses and terminals often lead to delays and inconvenience.

Police deployment

CCPO spokesperson Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rudolf Oriol said that the city’s police deployment is focused on churches, seaports, terminals, malls, and other areas of convergence throughout the entire duration of the religious observance from March 29 to April 5.

Of the total number deployed, Oriol said that more than 600 are from CCPO, while the rest are composed of emergency responders, force multipliers, volunteers, and barangay public safety officers, or tanods, in the city.

Additionally, several police assistance desks (PADs) will also be set up in concerned areas, where the public can directly seek assistance from personnel on duty for any complaints or incidents to report.

Through the PADs, authorities can easily provide assistance to the public, handle inquiries, receive complaints, as well as increase police visibility.

One of the CCPO’s security focuses during Holy Week is the traditional street play depicting the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, titled "Buhing Kalbaryo," which is annually staged and witnessed by many faithful every Good Friday in Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City.

To ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of this reenactment and other religious events, Oriol assured that sufficient police personnel will be deployed.

Furthermore, he reminded the public to secure their homes before returning to their respective provinces or going on vacation to prevent intrusion and possible incidents of theft and robbery.

“Kung mubiya man gani sila sa tagsa ka mga panimalay, make sure naay mahabilin. Or kung walay mahabilin, ang atoang balay atong ibilin pod sa atong mga silingan to look after sa atoang balay,” said Oriol.

The Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), for its part, asserted that one of its focuses for this Holy Week is the Carbon Public Market, which is often crowded during this season.

CCTO Head Raquel Arce said that it is customary every year for many marketgoers to flock there to buy ingredients for “binignit,” a popular dish especially during Holy Week.

She added that the CCTO will coordinate with the Office of the City Markets to better organize the stalls, which, she said, should not be impeded.

On concerns about public transportation terminals, Arce said the CCTO will also intensify its operations starting Holy Wednesday, April 1, for the expected surge of passengers returning to the provinces or going on vacation.

Arce also acknowledged Cebu Archbishop Alberto Uy’s support for the CCTO’s request for all churches in the city to submit schedules of events, especially those held on the streets, such as processions.

For her, this will help their office in deploying traffic enforcers who will manage traffic flow, especially when road congestion occurs.

City reminds travelers

Meanwhile, Archival has issued a reminder to travelers to pack lightly, as he observed last year that many passengers carried two or three large bags when traveling back to their hometowns.

“If possible, ang atong dad-on dili kayo daghan. I’m sure naa moy dad-unon didto, but if naa man gani, ipauna nana ninyo didto,” he advised, stressing that travelers should minimize luggage during peak travel days from Wednesday to Friday.

The mayor also warned that heavy baggage increases the risk of theft.

On security, Archival said that he is set to meet with the police force today to finalize security measures.

The coordinated effort will include assessments of churches and other convergence points, similar to last year’s practice, to ensure safety during religious gatherings.

Archival is also set to visit terminals and ports ahead of the Holy Week rush to personally oversee preparations.

He assured the public that police presence will be strengthened at transport hubs to guard against theft and maintain order.

“E-sigurado gyud sa pulis nga naa gyuy mga kapulisan sa terminals aron magbantay sa mga tawo,” he said.

With thousands expected to travel from Cebu City to the provinces, Archival emphasized that cooperation among passengers, transport operators, and authorities is key to a smooth and safe Holy Week journey.  — (FREEMAN)