Over 5,000 cops to secure Peñafrancia festival in Bicol

VIVA LA VIRGEN! Thousands of devotees form a tight ring around the image of the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, lovingly called “Ina” (mother) by devotees, during the “traslacion” held on the streets of Naga City in Camarines Sur, on Sept. 13, 2019. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / MARK ALVIC ESPLANA

LEGAZPI CITY — In preparation for the coming Peñafrancia Festival, which marks the centenary of the canonical coronation of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, over 5,000 uniformed personnel will be deployed to provide security and ensure public safety.

Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon, Bicol police chief, presided over the send-off ceremony of security forces at the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) base in Camp Simeon Ola here on Thursday, September 5.

Dizon said in his speech that providing security to the devotees who are expected to come to Naga City even before the start of the weeklong religious festivities on September 13. The traslacion procession, which is the transferring of the image of the Bicol patroness from the Peñafrancia shrine to the Naga Metropolitan Cathedral, will be on the said date.

The deployment will include personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection, and the Philippine Coast Guard.

“We are preparing to address any situation that may arise,” Dizon added.

He also advised attendees of the traslacion and fluvial procession, which will be on September 21 and will mark the end of the festival, to avoid bringing deadly weapons, jewelry, harmful chemicals, and children to minimize safety risks and prevent accidents, including potential stampedes.

READ: In Naga City, ‘Ina’ devotees buck health protocols as Peñafrancia festival returns

Police Colonel Erwin Rebellon, Naga City police chief, also announced that a gun ban is now in effect, starting Thursday until September 24.

“We will enforce strict police visibility to ensure the safety of devotees and tourists and to manage traffic flow effectively,” Rebellon said.#