Security raised for Birhen sa Simala visit

SECURITY measures are in place ahead of the visit of the famed Birhen sa Simala from her shrine in Sibonga town to Cebu City next month.

“I know that a number of people are devoted to the Birhen sa Simala. We will treat this as a major event,” said Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) chief.

He said the police may have to double their security preparations in case the state of national emergency on account of lawless violence won’t be lifted by President Rodrigo Duterte when the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary visits Cebu City.

Both the Police Regional Office and the Armed Forces’ Central Command were placed under full alert status immediately after the explosion in Davao City.

Taliño ordered random checkpoints and sent additional policemen alongside troops from the Central Command to patrol the vicinity of malls, ports, airport, markets, churches, and other crowded places.

The image of the Birhen sa Simala will leave her shrine on October 7 and will stay at the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) Pavilion in Cebu City.
On the evening of the same day, a concert dubbed “It’s All About Her” will be held at the IEC Pavilion.

From October 7 to 8, devotees can freely visit the IEC Pavilion to pay homage to the Birhen sa Simala.

At 4 a.m. on October 8, a penitential procession will bring the image from the IEC Pavilion to the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño in downtown Cebu City.

On October 9, the image will return to the Lindogon shrine in Sibonga.

The three-day event is hosted by Kapandesal Multipurpose Cooperative in cooperation with the Cebu Archdiocese.

Proceeds of the religious concert will be used to fund construction of additional classrooms in a school in Barangay Lindogon, Sibonga.