INSPECTION Cebu police officials inspect on Friday the routes for the Sinulog sa Kabataan parade and the procession for the Santo Niño de Cebu image. —NESTLE SEMILLA
CEBU CITY — A gun ban has been imposed by the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) throughout the region to help ensure peace and order during the 458th Fiesta Señor and the 2023 Sinulog Festival, which are expected to draw thousands of pilgrims and spectators as it reopened for in-person activities for the first time in two years.
The 15-day gun ban began on Jan. 5 when the Sinulog officially started with a two-kilometer procession called “Walk with Jesus” and would end on Jan. 20, “hubo” or the changing of vestments of the Santo Niño de Cebu, which signaled the end of the Sinulog, said PRO-7 director Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis.
The police would also intensify the conduct of checkpoints in the four provinces in the region—Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor—to prevent the entry of criminals to Cebu.
“Even though you are a licensed firearm holder, definitely you are not allowed [to bring it]. But of course, there is an exemption for that, [and] that will be issued to approving authority,” Bearis said in an interview on Thursday.
No street parties
Data from the Regional Civil Security Unit showed that 11,046 licensed firearm holders in the region would be affected by the suspension of the Permit To Carry Firearms Outside Residence.
Thousands of people were expected to come to Cebu during the Sinulog week, particularly on Jan. 15, the feast day of the Child Jesus that had been drawing thousands of pilgrims and devotees to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu and throngs of spectators to the Mardi Gras-like dance parade that would be held this year at South Road Properties, the city’s newest commercial hub that rose out of a city-developed 300-hectare reclamation area.
A multisectoral convergence group of the city government of Cebu earlier recommended to Mayor Michael Rama to ban street parties and implement a liquor ban along the new and old Sinulog grand parade routes as a precautionary measure.
“Crowds flock together to drink and party, which becomes uncontrollable. We don’t want the worst to happen,” said Raquel Arce, head of the Cebu City Traffic Office and a group member.
The old Sinulog grand parade route includes parts of N. Bacalso Avenue, P. del Rosario Street, New Imus Road, General Maxilom Avenue and Osmeña Boulevard.
This year’s Sinulog will be held at South Road Properties.
As to the proposal to shut down cellular phone signals in key areas where the religious and cultural activities would be held, Bearis said they were still waiting for the response from the National Telecommunications Commission.