Cebu City to strictly implement curfew on minors for holiday season

A photo taken during a walkthrough for the foot processions route last December 1 from Cebu City Hall to Osmeña Boulevard. | CDN File Photo/Niña Mae Oliverio

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A few days before the start of Misa de Gallo and gathering activities for the holiday season, authorities in Cebu City are gearing up for the security of the public.

Cebu City Councilor Phillip Zafra, council’s chairperson of the Committee on Peace and Order, said that the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), together with the city government, was making sure that security measures for Misa de Gallo and other activities within Cebu City were already put in place.

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Cebu City gov’t-CCPO coordination

Zafra said that they already talked with Police Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, deputy director for operations of CCPO, and Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of CPPO, on this matter.

He said that the police commanders per station in Cebu City were in close coordination with the barangay captains in the city, as they anticipate gathering events during the holiday until the New Year celebration.

He said that they would strictly impose curfew on the minors from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.

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Minors can still go to Dawn Masses, but …

“Anyway, makasimba ra man gihapon sila (minors) basta kuyog sa ilang ginikanan o adult nga ilang paryente makakuyog sa ila,” he said.

(Anyway, they (minors) can still go to church as long as they are accompanied by their parents or an adult, who is a relative, would accompany them.)

And if ever there would be gatherings attended by minors, Zafra said that the law enforcers would reprimand them.

“Sitahon gyud sila, duolon gyud sila. That’s why importante gyud atong barangay because sila gyuy frontline gyud ani kay naa man sa ilahang areas. Atong police, naa man tay gipangassign per barangay nga kinsay mo-oversee sa ilang police operation during that time,” he said.

(We will apprehend them, we will approach them. That’s why the barangay is important because they are the frontline in this and that it is in their areas. Our police, we have people that we assigned for every barangay, who will oversee their police operation during that time.)

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No fines imposed, curfew will just be strictly implemented

Zafra said that they would not impose fines on the violators but would just strongly implement the curfew.

He added that there would be personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) in every barangay. The violators would be brought there where they would be processed.