The flag in front of the Cebu City Hall is flown at half-mast following the death of mayor Edgardo Labella on Friday, November 19, 2021. CDN Digital photo | Mae Fhel Gom-os
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said there will be no limitation on the number of people who will want to view the remains of Mayor Edgardo Labella during the public viewing the Cebu City Hall Square.
The Cebu City Government, along with Labella’s family, agreed for a public viewing at the City Hall for three days and two nights starting Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
In a press conference on Monday, November 22, 2021, Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, CCPO director, said the public will be allowed to view the remains of the late mayor with the police making sure that movement of people will be free-flowing.
Ligan disclosed that Rama intended to put the remains of Labella near the flag pole in front of the Cebu City Hall, which, he said, is good since it is an open space and not a risk to COVID-19 transmission.
Ligan said they will be implementing a ‘One Entrance, One Exit’ policy during those days but stressed that there will also be more or less six lines for free flowing of people.
Apart from this, the city director said that they agreed with the Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) to close the streets near the vicinity of the Cebu City Hall Square.
He said the area will only be open for the pedestrians and that vehicles will not be allowed to park in the vicinity of the city hall.
There will be designated parking areas for vehicles, including at the Plaza Independencia and the Campania Maritima.
“Practically, the whole front, the whole City Hall Square, bakante na sa sakyanan, only pedestrians [are allowed],” he said.
Ligan disclosed the police as well as the others concerned agencies will be having a dry-run for the transfer of Labella from the Crystal Palace Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Barangay Lahug.
The city director said they are still finalizing the number of policemen to be deployed at the City Hall during those days, but stressed that it would not be less than 50 policemen.
Labella died early Friday morning, November 19, and he is expected to be laid to rest on Friday, November 26.
/bmjo
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