Crowd control in the parade route and safety of people in the grandstand of the Cebu City Sports Center were among the aspects discussed as law enforcers and other officials assessed their handling of Sinulog 2009.

Overall, however, police officials considered their task of securing the Sinulog a success, and awards and commendations for the concerned personnel are forthcoming.

But to further improve the handling of the Sinulog grand parade next year, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Ronald Roderos said he will suggest to the organizers to incorporate crowd control into the security aspect.

Last Sunday, the police and military were divided into three separate clusters: security, peace and order and crowd control.

But Roderos and Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) Director Patrocinio Comendador said forces meant to handle the crowds can be quickly deployed and managed if security and crowd control are not separated.

Comendador said that crowd control is easily a part of security work.

And while no untoward incidents happened at the grandstand, Roderos noted the need for more emergency exits, as a fire alarm or bomb hoax could lead to a stampede.

He suggested that ropes and ladders be placed at the sides of the grandstand and fire trucks with aerial ladders, as well as an ambulance be placed in strategic areas around the structure.

“We have one year to do that,” he added.

Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) operations officer Neil Sanchez suggested that organizers print a sketch of exit routes at the back of each ticket so spectators will know where to go during emergency evacuation.

Marshals should also be present to guide them if an incident occurs.

Other points presented:

- Roderos personally congratulated Comendador for enforcing the gun ban, which he described as a “creative and innovative idea,” and assured it will be institutionalized for “every Sinulog thereafter.”

Comendador said the gun ban showed that people “do not need guns” in the streets of Cebu and was glad the Cebuanos heeded their call not to bring firearms during the two days it was enforced.

- Sanchez noted that some helicopters flew too low and dangerously close to the ground during the Sinulog parade while a similarly low-flying plane that was dropping flowers was noted during the fluvial procession.

He said they will find out with the Civil Aviation Authority for the Visayas the ideal altitude for aircrafts flying over commercial areas.

“If you saw the Air Force chopper, for me, that was the ideal height,” Sanchez told reporters.

Roderos said there was always a chance that engines fail and if helicopters are flying too low, they could hit the thick crowd.

- Comendador estimated the number of people around the parade route at 2.1 million, but said that if they included those who trooped to the Basilica del Sto. Niño, the number could reach 2.8 million.

He was glad to report that no stabbing or shooting incidents around the parade route occurred and there was no fraternity or gang-related violence unlike last year.

They arrested 22 snatchers, including a group based in Davao City.

He said they were previously arrested by his office and that when they arrived, a concerned citizen reported their presence here.

With the success of their security preparations, Roderos hopes to replicate the same concept in big activities throughout Central Visayas.

Comendador, for his part, thanked Roderos for congratulating him.

He said their vision was to make sure they did better than the 2008 celebration. (MEA)

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(January 20, 2009 issue)
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