Bantayan bans shows

FOR those expecting to attend beach parties in the island of Bantayan this week, expect to see a different atmosphere.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office has vowed to make sure that the Holy Week in the whole island will be observed solemnly.

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Acting CPPO Director Erson Digal said signboards will be put up informing the public about the prohibition of holding discos, bikini shows and concerts in any of the beach resorts, resto-bars and other public places during the Lenten holidays.

“Dili na ni pareha sa una. Magpenitensya na ang mga tawo didto (This won’t be like previous Holy Weeks. People will have to show their repentance),” Digal said.

Digal said they are free to hold parties on Easter Sunday.

Sta. Fe Police Chief Leoncio Baliguat hopes to fulfill orders from Digal and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia.

“Dako ni nga challenge sa pulis tungod sa naandan (This will be a major challenge for the police),” he said.

For his part, Bantayan Police Chief Almirante Bacayo said the town has always observed solemn practices during Holy Week and rowdy parties will not be problem for him.

He said the highlight of the holidays in Bantayan is a solemn procession held on Good Friday.

As for Madridejos Police Chief Jaime Tolentino, he said the celebration there is not busy.

“But we will try to maintain peace and order in the municipality,” Tolentino said.

Digal held his final meeting for the Holy Week last Monday for the final deployment of troops to the towns.

Digal said there will be at least 75 additional police officers in Bantayan Island. He will also be augmenting the forces of the Minglanilla Police Station and the Cebu South Bus Terminal.

Aside from a platoon from the Regional Mobile Group, members of the Special Reaction Unit and some personnel from neighboring municipal police stations will be distributed to these areas.