“The presence of uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Maritime Police (MP) and the support extended by the Bantay Bayan and civilians have made the weeklong celebration peaceful, Mayor Pulmones said in an interview.
The yearly “Pasalamat Festival” highlights the city fiesta celebration in honor of its patron saint, the Holy Child Jesus (Sto. Niño), which is celebrated every third Sunday of January, capped by street dancing, fluvial parade(regatta), sea games, trade fair, and concelebrated Mass.
Pulmones said uniformed personnel of PNP, PA, PCG, and MP were distributed to their respective assignments to provide security to public especially in areas where the major events/activities were held.
The PNP has also fielded confidential agents and officers in plain clothes to blend with the crowd.
“The crowd was overwhelming. We are very grateful to our Almighty that He guided us in all of our activities and fortunately no untoward incident took place during the fiesta,” the mayor pointed out.
Pasalamat festival chair Vice Mayor Divina Grace Yu also thanked the vendors for their contribution in making the celebration peaceful.
“Prior to the celebration, we asked vendors to help the police in maintaining peace and order by reporting immediately any suspicious things placed on the streets such as bags, cartoons, etc.,” she said.
“A big crowd is always expected during the street dancing, as it is one of the highlights of the parochial fiesta celebration. So, we asked their help because the people would gather on the major thoroughfares to watch the street dancing,” Vice Mayor Yu said adding that “peace is not only a police work, but it is everybody’s concern.”
This year’s fiesta celebration has for its theme, “Pagdayeg sa Batang Hesus: Kadasig sa mga Layko, Kalauman sa Kabag-ohan sa Katilingban (Praising the Child Jesus: An Encouragement for Laymen, a Hope for Reforms in Society). (PIA9)