Police: Fuente Rotunda a Sinulog chokepoint

Railings were removed in Fuente Osmeña and Mango Avenue to reduce the danger of injuries in case of a stampede.

Police identified the rotunda  as a critical area during the Sinulog Grand Parade because of the crush of people expected to gather there.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) units will be installed and more policemen fielded there, said Senior Supt. Melvin Ramon Buenafe, chief of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO.

This year, parade contingents from Gen. Maxilom will have to walk around the rotunda instead of going straight to Osmeña Boulevard. This extra distance will reduce the crowd pressure in the intersection.

Tarpaulin banners are hung along the parade route with phone numbers of the police department boldly printed.

But the police are not “supermen” and need public’s cooperation, said Senior Supt. Louie Oppus.

A ban on carrying firearms is in force until Jan. 26. Security escorts of politicians and VIPs must secure a letter from their headquarters for exemption if they don’t want to be arrested.

Mandaue police said they expect a bigger crowd this year to join the traslacion motorcade on Friday that will bring the Sto. Nino image to the St. Joseph Shrine in Mandaue and the fluvial procession on Saturday.

Police earlier alerted the public to stay vigilant against robbery groups from Manila and Mindanao.

Counterparts in the Lapu-Lapu police said the finalized security measures for the fluvial parade. Correspondents Chito Aragon, Fe Marie Dumaboc and Rhea Ruth V. Rossel