CEBU City Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered the cancellation of free concerts in Fuente Osmeña Circle starting Saturday, January 19 due to the unruly behavior of the crowd last Friday, January 18.
The city has also deployed mobile jail facilities, where law violators will be housed during the grand parade on Sunday, January 20.
With the development, Councilor Dave Tumulak asked the public to abide all rules being implemented by the city and other authorities to make the remaining activities of Sinulog before the grand parade more meaningful.
Tumulak, who also chairs the Sinulog Foundation Inc. (SFI), said that another well-known band was set to perform in Fuente Osmeña Circle on Saturday, but the activity will no longer push through.
“There will be no more activity in Fuente Osmeña tonight (Saturday),” he said.
Last Friday, January 18, SFI decided to discontinue a free concert featuring an alternative rock band, December Avenue, after a thick crowd was seen in the area.
“In line with the security measures we have implemented for the Sinulog 2019, the Sinulog Foundation Inc. has regretfully decided to discontinue tonight’s line-up of events due to unforeseen circumstances. Your safety and security is our utmost priority. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused everyone especially to the working committee, volunteers, our partners, and performers,” read the official statement of SFI posted on its Facebook page.
Osmeña on his Facebook account also posted photos of the crowd last Friday trying to access the Fuente Osmeña Circle by going over its fence.
“Kining mga tao ang rason gi-cancel ang concert. Klase mo tanan inig Lunes,” the mayor wrote.
With the cancellation of some events, Tumulak clarified that the city and SFI did not prohibit the public from celebrating the Feast of Sto. Niño, which is the essence of the Sinulog.
“They can do what they want as long as they will not obstruct or cause any trouble. They should also abide with the existing policies set by SFI and the police because the PNP will not hesitate to arrest any violator. We should celebrate the feast peacefully,” he said.