POLICE will be deployed in all areas in Mandaue City in preparation for its annual fiesta in honor of St. Joseph on Saturday, May 8, 2021.
Lt. Col. Mercy Villaro, Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) information officer, said they will focus their deployment on the National Shrine of St. Joseph in Barangay Centro as the City Government and the parish did not prepare any activities aside from the mass.
Villaro said more than 500 police officers will be on duty on feast day.
A police assistance desk will be set up within the church vicinity until 10:30 p.m. A mobile patrol group will be on standby at the Mandaue City Plaza in front of the church, while another mobile patrol will go around the city, she said.
She said they will be on the lookout for illegal gambling, particularly cockfights, and public drinking.
Under existing coronavirus quarantine protocols, which include a liquor ban and a curfew, these activities are still prohibited, Villaro said.
She said the Centro Police Station will closely monitor establishments like restaurants and convenience stores that sell liquor.
In February, Mayor Jonas Cortes reimposed the liquor ban, which prohibits the serving of liquor inside establishments but not the selling. He also banned drinking in public.
An individual caught drinking in public will be reprimanded and made to pay P5,000. An establishment caught serving liquor will face a P5,000 fine and the revocation of its business permit.
Villaro encouraged residents to avoid gatherings and to keep the celebration simple.
On Friday, May 7, the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (Team) deployed over 50 traffic enforcers to escort the motorcade procession and to man traffic to avoid gridlocks during the activity.
Arnold Malig-on, Team’s operations head, said the motorcade lasted around 40 minutes. (KFD)