Police start probe on unauthorized fiesta in Cebu barangay amid lockdown

CEBU CITY – Police officials here have launched an investigation to find out who authorized the fiesta activities that gathered throngs of people in Sitio Alumnos, Barangay Basak San Nicolas on Saturday amid a strict lockdown imposed by authorities to contain the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7), said he instructed the Cebu City Police Office to closely look into the incident that caught village officials and policemen by surprise.

“We want to know how this incident happened,” the police general said.

Hundreds of people gathered in Sitio Alumnos on Saturday to join the solemn procession and watch the Sinulog street dance presentation in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.

Barangay Basak San Nicolas officials also ordered a probe to find out who were behind the activities and how it happened when residents were supposed to stay inside their homes since the city is under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the strictest form of quarantine.

In a statement posted on their Facebook page, village officials said they, including Barangay Basak San Nicolas Captain Norman Navarro, did not authorize any public activities, including a procession and Sinulog dance presentation.

“We will summon the organizers since what they did violate the ECQ. They risked the lives of their neighbors who complied with the regulations and those who have made sacrifices not to leave their homes for months now,” they said in Cebuano.

“We know that the activity was for the Sto. Niño but we try to avoid any mass gathering especially that the COVID-19 cases are rising. We should just pray inside our homes. We are in the midst of a pandemic and we are appealing for your understanding, help and cooperation because all of us are part of the solution,” they added.