Sinulog warning: ‘Drink at your own risk’

OSMEÑA

REVELERS caught drinking liquor or alcoholic drinks along the streets during next year’s Sinulog Grand Parade will be arrested.

This is the stern warning of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, who vowed to implement certain measures that would help prevent public disorder during the Sinulog celebration.

“I am sorry if I sound very strict but we have to start this way,” Osmeña told reporters in a press conference yesterday.

Osmeña said the presence of drunken people would create public disturbance and a risky situation.

“We cannot have several hundred people running around wild,” the mayor added.

Last year, a stampede was reported on Gen. Maxilom Avenue a few hours after the Sinulog Grand Parade ended.

Injured persons were brought to a nearby private hospital.

But a day after, police said no stampede happened although there were unruly revelers amidst the huge crowd.

For Osmeña, the basic idea is to finish the celebration early.

“We are cutting it early, before the sun down. People are just barely partying, finish, over. I hope it would be manageable,” he added.

NO STREET PARTIES

Osmeña reiterated that there will be no street parties in next year’s Sinulog.

“It affects public order. Right now, I don’t like what happened last time, it’s really dangerous,” he said.

Osmeña said he won’t allow similar things from happening again.