Politicos told: Avoid campaigning in Calungsod Mass

POLITICIANS were urged to observe “delicadeza” and avoid campaigning during the national thanksgiving celebration for Saint Pedro Calungsod at the South Road Properties (SRP) on November 30.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Cebu provincial supervisor Lionel Castillano aired his appeal after hearing reports that several candidates in next year’s elections would attend the event.

“We at the Comelec don’t have legal basis to stop them (but) this is a religious event and I hope they won’t use this in their political campaign,” Castillano said in Cebuano.

Cebu City police are finalizing security details as they expect 500,000 to one milllion visitors.

Among the guests are President Benigno Aquino III and several senators.

Senior Supt. Melvin Buenafe, Cebu City police chief, said he wants a total gun ban i Central Visayas for the event.

In his recommendation to Camp Crame, he asked that Central Visayas observe a gun ban from November 25 to December 2.

More than 1,559 policemen, members of the Reserve Officers Training Corps. (ROTC) cadets from various schools, police trainees and anti-crime volunteers will help secure the event. Correspondents Carmel R. Matus and Chito O. Aragon