THERE’S a familiar beat. Millions from all over the country and the world will witness the grandest ever Sinulog Grand Parade on Jan. 15.
But there’s a pall of gloom hanging over the festivities in the wake of the recent bombings in other parts of the country, especially in Hilongos, Leyte where more than a score of people were injured.
Terrorism, after all , cannot be stopped even by an administration that advocates the killing of drug suspects.
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We are actually concerned with the coming Sinulog Grand Parade on Jan. 15. The city government reduced the carousel route from six to four kilometres.
How good are the security personnel along the parade route? Most of them are college students who are forced to be on the streets in exchange for a passing grade in some college military training.
By now, they should be taught on how to identify bombs and other explosives.
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The police will deploy more or less 1,800 personnel for Sinulog 2017, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Noli Taliño.
He said that aside from the 1,800, Task Force Cebu also committed to add 1,000 more.
Well, General Taliño knows this is one of the most important assignments in his career as police regional office director. He should not allow anyone one to shame him.
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Taliño said the PRO 7 will conduct a dry run for the security deployment today, January 4, after lunch.
Taliño said there has been no direct threat or specific attempt in Cebu City since the recent explosion incident in Hilongos, Leyte. "As to the threat of bombing and terrorism, we have no direct, specific attempt in Cebu City, but we must be vigilant and alert. You can also report to policemen who will be deployed all over the city," Taliño said.
Then we have to pray. Never discount the power of prayers. The Sto. Nino knows that. That’s why the bomb that hit the basilica during the last war did not explode.