Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 6) — Cebu is gearing up for the Sinulog festivities next weekend, with authorities announcing security measures including phone signal interruptions.
Phone signals may be shut down at major events of the Sinulog Festival, like the solemn procession on January 18 and the grand parade on January 19, according to Central Visayas Police Regional Director Valeriano De Leon.
De Leon said they already sent last month to the National Telecommunications Commission the request for mobile phones signal shutdowns for Sinulog.
He added that the exact times when phone signals will be shut off will be announced later as they are waiting for the recommendations from their officers on the ground.
It is also possible for phone signals not to be turned off if the police’s intelligence teams are confident enough, De Leon said.
He added that devotees who cannot leave their bags would have to enter the Basilica and other Sinulog venues through special lanes where they would undergo a thorough inspection.
De Leon also said that they will be seeking additional forces from nearby provinces to help in the security of the Sinulog festivities.
The Task Force Sinulog will deploy around 6,000 policemen in Cebu City which is expected to receive an influx of millions of foreign and domestic tourists during the Sinulog weekend.
Basilica Rector, Rev. Fr. Pacifico Nohara, said there will be no major changes in the events of the Feast of the Santo Nino this year except that there will be no grand fireworks during the procession. Funds for the fireworks will instead be donated to communities in Northern Cebu that were devastated last month by Typhoon Ursula.
The procession of the Santo Niño this year will be longer as it will go through a different route.
