Sinulog seaborne procession ‘generally peaceful’
THE seaborne procession of the images of the Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe was generally peaceful and orderly this year, as authorities barred a hundred of unregistered seacraft from joining the activity.
It was also a perfect weather as rain did not affect Cebu, Saturday morning, January 19.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael John Encina, spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Central Visayas, said unregistered motor bancas and other vessels were contained along the South Channel near the South Road Properties (SRP) while the procession was ongoing.
“As a whole, it was very peaceful. Our effort in preventing the colorum motor bancas from joining the procession worked out,” he said.
The development, Encina said, would serve as a lesson for operators of unregistered seacraft to register their vessels if they decide to join the seaborne procession.
This year, PCG estimated around 220 big and small seacraft that joined the seaborne procession but only 93 were registered.
A total of 46 sea marshals from PCG, Philippine Navy, Philippine National Police, Maritime Police, among other volunteers, also secured all those who joined the seaborne procession.
Encina said they implemented stricter measures when it comes to unregistered vessels this year, as they want all those who will participate in the procession next year to register for their own safety.
“Although there was no threat but we have implement a stringent maritime safety and security regulations in the conduct of the fluvial procession for the public's safety,” he said.
During the entire procession, those aboard the unregistered motor bancas only got the chance to see the images of Sto. Niño and Our Lady of Guadalupe when M/V Super Joy of Roble Shipping Inc., the galleon that carried the two images turned around Barangay Pasil and SRP area.
During the seaborne procession, a person on board one of the participating vessels fell into the sea, but was immediately rescued by a team from Naval Special Operations Group and other sea marshals.
Although the galleon left 15 minutes late than the scheduled, Encina said they finished the religious activity on time.
The galleon left the Muelle Osmeña in Lapu-Lapu City at 6:15 a.m. and arrived in Pier 1 at 7:35 a.m.
Aside from those who boarded the vessels, thousands of devotees flocked to areas where the galleon passed, including the seaside area in Lapu-lapu City, Ouano Wharf and a nearby private property in Mandaue City and in different ports in Cebu City.
The Naval Forces Central also allowed devotees to board five of its vessels while others chose to stay in the Captain Veloso Pier of the military and watched the galleon passed by the area. (SunStar Cebu)