Use of transparent bags urged during Tacloban festivals

TACLOBAN CITY, June 23 -- The Tacloban City Police Office is asking the cooperation of spectators who will be watching the parades for the celebrations of Tacloban City fiestas to solely use transparent bags for security reasons. 

Tacloban City Police Office spokesperson Senior Inspector Jessica Ortega said in an interview on Thursday afternoon that bags and backpacks would not be allowed during the Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival and Tacloban Sangyaw Paarade. 

Every year, Tacloban City celebrates its annual fiestas this June 30 with two festivals. Only transparent bags will be allowed on June 27 for the whole-day Pintados-Kasadyaan and Sangyaw Parade of Lights on June 29, which is an evening event, said the police during Thursday's press conference for the festivals' security preparations. 

The Pintados-Kasadyaan is a whole day event while the Sangyaw Parade is an evening activity. 

Thousands are expected to be at the city to watch this annual event, which is why there is a need to have stricter and tight security measures, Ortega said.

“Instead of bringing back packs people should use transparent bags. We need to be security conscious,” she added.

Ortega also suggested that spectators especially women, should not wear pieces of valuable jewelry and also advised house owners to ensure doors and windows were properly locked when leaving the house. “Please don’t give them chance to victimize you, don’t wear any jewelry and ensure that your house before you leave is secured,” Ortega said.

A total of 633 combine personnel from the 78th Infantry Battalion and Military Intelligence Group and the Philippine National Police will guard the Tacloban City main roads on the 27th and 28th of June to ensure safety and security of city while people are enjoying watching the two festivals.

Reservists of the Philippine Army, students enrolled under the Reserve Officer Training Corps and personnel of the Traffic Operation Management Enforcement Control Office will augment the law enforcement operative to ensure a peaceful festival.

In the press conference last week, Pintados-Kasadyaan officials said that around 1,000 members from nine contingents from towns of Leyte and of Samar provinces and more than 500 members of the eight contingents for the Pintados Festival will arrive in Tacloban on June 27 to participate and compete for the street dancing and ritual competition.

This number excludes the officials and supporters of the contingents who will be at the Leyte Sports Complex to witness the presentations.

Sangyaw Festival officials has not released yet if how many participants will be joining the parade of lights in the evening of June 28. (Roel T. Amazona/PNA)