In this photo taken before the COVID-19 pandemic, children are singing Christmas carols near lanterns on display, locally known as “parol” along a street in Manila. AFP PHOTO/TED ALJIBE
CEBU CITY — With the Christmas season drawing near, city authorities here have prohibited people, particularly children, from caroling in the streets to ensure their safety.
Lt. Col. Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), cautioned minors who won’t heed the call, saying they will be rescued and investigated to determine who compelled them to sing Christmas carols in the streets.
Parents of these children, she said, will also be summoned.
“If we find out that syndicates are behind this, then we will try our best to arrest and charge them for child abuse,” Macatangay said.
The police officer appealed to the public to not give alms to street carolers, especially children, to discourage them from going to the streets to beg for money.
“I call on the public to channel their help to charitable institutions rather than to people in the streets to protect them from accidents,” she said.
Macatangay, however, clarified that caroling in houses will be allowed for now since there is still no ordinance that prohibits it in Cebu City.
She said they prohibited caroling in houses in the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
But now that the COVID-19 restrictions were eased, Macatangay said carolers can visit different houses provided that they follow the health protocols like wearing of face masks and observing physical distancing.
“While we do not force people to wear a mask, let us remember that the virus is still here and that we should be careful at all times,” she said.
Meanwhile, Macatangay announced that the Cebu City police has intensified their programs against all forms of criminality, especially that the Christmas season is coming.
“As the ‘ber’ months start, policemen will be more vigilant against criminals, including those from outside of Cebu City,” she said.
“We also encourage the public to report to the police whenever they find something suspicious so your policemen will be able to immediately act on it,” she added.
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