Street carolers to be brought to police stations for profiling

Jeepney carolers will be brought to police stations for profiling after reports that a group has been scaring commuters with veiled threats to force them to give them money. (CDN FILE PHOTO)

Because of reports of jeepney carolers scaring commuters into giving them money, Cebu City Police Chief Joel Doria said they will bring jeepney carolers to the police stations for profiling.

And if they find out that the caroler has a pending arrest warrant, Doria said they will detain him and present him to the court.

Others who have no criminal record shall be allowed to go home, Doria said.

“At least, we will secure their backgrounds,” he added.

Last Monday, Councilor Dave Tumulak, deputy mayor on police matters, posted on his Facebook account about three male teenage carolers who were sowing fear on commuters.

“They say, ‘Dili man mi manulis ninyo. Mangayo lang mi (We won’t rob you. We’re just asking for donations’),” he said, referring to what the three carolers would usually tell jeepney commuters.

One of the carolers would stand at the entrance of the jeepney while the two others sing Christmas songs inside the jeepney, sending fear to some commuters that they would not be able to disembark from the vehicle if they would not give them money.

The three carolers were seen along Natalio Bacalso Avenue, particularly from the junction of the Cebu Institute of Technology to the South Bus Terminal.

Senior Supt. Doria said they are looking for the three carolers so they could get their profile.

He said policemen assigned on the streets will help monitor street carolers.

“We are intensifying our operations against these street carolers especially that Christmas is approaching,” Doria said.

Policemen will be deployed in the different parts of Cebu City to monitor street carolers as well as to ensure the safety of commuters, he said.

One commuter who commented on Councilor Tumulak’s post expressed fear that some street carolers are robbers.

“Hadlok na gyud kaayo ron musakay og jeep. Unsaon ta pagpugong, ing-anang mga tawhana? (I am really afraid to ride a jeepney. How can we prevent street carolers who have an evil plot)?” the commuter said.

Doria urged the public to ignore carolers or people soliciting alms in public and private vehicles.

He said while generosity is encouraged, giving money to street carolers could be dangerous as they are at risk of being run over by speeding vehicles or they could fall off jeepneys.

“Stop giving money to street carolers,” Doria said in an interview yesterday.

Cebu City Ordinance 1931 prohibits caroling on the streets and inside PUJs.

The ordinance, authored by former Councilor Augustus Pe Jr. and passed on December 14, 2011, imposes fine of P500 and/or imprisonment of not more than five days on violators.