Starting last Thursday, permits to carry firearms were suspended in Cebu City until Jan. 26 or well within the duration of the annual Sinulog festival.
Senior Supt. Louie Oppus, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7), said licensed gun holders who had permit to carry outside their homes are prohibited to carry firearms within that period.
Violators would be facing charges of illegal possession of firearms, said Oppus.
He also said policemen in Cebu City are placed on full alert status from Jan. 9 to 16. “They are not allowed to go home,” Oppus said.
For their part, at least 160 Muslim communities in Metro Cebu promised to help authorities ensure a peaceful Sinulog celebration.
Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB), said he already met 160 leaders of their respective communities here in Metro Cebu.
Every community has at least 20 members and all of them committed to support police in maintaining peace and order during the festivity.
A covenant was signed by local Muslim leaders led by Malo Manonggaring, director of the Office of Muslim Affairs (OMA), and police authorities for this purpose.Correspondent Chito Aragon