THE country’s two leading telecommunication companies temporarily suspended services from 3 a.m. to 8 a.m., Monday, to prevent improvised explosive devices (IEDs) from being remotely triggered during the traslacion of the Black Nazarene.
City councilor Reuben Daba, a member of the City Council committee on police and public safety, said the council had requested Globe and Smart companies to temporarily shut down services and both companies agreed to the request.
“After sa alas 8, hinay-hinay nila nga ibalik ang services depende kung kanus-a mahuman ang activity,” Daba said.
“Dili matingala ang publiko kung walay signal sa maong mga oras. Kini kay para masiguro nga magmalampuson ang procession ug mapugngan ang mga hulga sa seguridad nga kasagara mogamit og cellphone,” Daba added.
Daba said the state security forces also received reports of security threats that coincided with the celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene prompting police to install signal jamming devices.
More than 800 policemen have been mobilized in key areas to provide security to the two-day activity, excluding forces from the military and other law enforcement agencies.
Daba reiterated that bringing of backpacks, wearing of caps and sunglasses will be prohibited throughout the event.
He also urged the devotees not to bring their young children and advised senior citizens to wait in the church if there are health risks.
“Gidili sa pag-join ang magdala og back pack og dili pwede pasudlon sa simbahan. Kung pwede ang mga bata ug tigulang sa church na lang maghulat or dili na lang gayud dad-on,” Daba said.
Organizers of Black Nazarene feast said they also expect injuries from resulting from a stampede and other factors should there be an attack.
Even the traditional lighting of pyrotechnics at the start of the “Traslacion” was also discouraged as hostile groups might use it as an opportunity to commit an act of terror.
Drones will also not be allowed to fly especially within the “Traslacion” route.
To keep watch on the movement of the people joining the procession, Mario Verner Monsanto, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department (CDRRMD) overseer, said they will be using the closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed on the streets along the route, as well as a mobile CCTV monitor.
Monsanto said they are expecting around 200,000 people to join the Black Nazarene feast, and the Tropical Depression “Auring” will not dampen the devotees’ enthusiasm.