Cebu police against Sinulog Festival, but OKs conduct of masses

CNN Philippines – Published Jan 4, 2021 5:39:26 PM

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 4) – The Cebu City Police Office on Monday has discouraged the city government from hosting the annual Sinulog Festival amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cebu City Police chief Col. Josefino Ligan said the local Inter-Agency Task Force has only approved the conduct of masses at the Basilica Del Santo Niño and not the street parades and performances.

Ligan noted that the police are only preparing for the masses and not for the cultural activities of the annual festivities.

“For the security cluster with the limited number of days left to prepare for the Sinulog activities, I would recommend na i-stop nalang gyud siya. I-cancel (I would recommend that they just stop it, just cancel),” said Ligan in a press conference.

Vice Mayor Michael Rama recently said the Sinulog Festival showdown will be held this year in an open parking space of a mall without any audiences on Jan. 17.

However, Ligan recommended that this year’s festivities be held in April instead in time for the 500th anniversary celebration of Christianity in the country.

“We can do it perhaps diri na sa later part or April. Ang mga Sinulog activities isabay nalang siya ug idungan diri sa 500 years so we have ample time to prepare,” he said.

[Translation: We can do it perhaps later or in April. We can hold the Sinulog activities along with the 500th year celebration of Christianity, so we have ample time to prepare.]

Ligan also said that even without an audience and just the performers, the Cebu City Police will be overwhelmed without augmentation from other police offices which are also dealing with the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Rama said the city will present to the local IATF its preparation plans and seek approval of the Sinulog event.

SOURCE: https://cnnphilippines.com/regional/2021/1/4/Cebu-police-Sinulog-festival-OKs-masses-.html