MindanaoToday.com | Cagayan de Oro cops to enforce signal jam, strict border controls during Traslacion
By: FRANCK DICK ROSETE
The local police and military here will be enforcing strict border controls and possible signal jam for a safe and peaceful traslacion for the Feast of the Black Nazarene in this city on January 9.
Police Lt. Col. Rey Gaudencio Taboclaon, deputy director for operations of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), said conducting random checkpoints has already been in place from the borders here, situated in the barangays Bulua, San Simon, Mambuaya, Indahag, Bugo, and Upper Puerto.
But the intensive and non-stop checkpoints, he said, will be activated 30 minutes before the start of traslacion, which will be spearheaded by the City Mobile Force Company and Task Force Oro.
“There is scrutiny that will happen in these checkpoints in order for us to peacefully conduct the Feast of the Black Nazarene,” Taboclaon said in a press conference held at Jesus Nazareno Parish-Shrine of the Black Nazarene on Wednesday, January 3, as he urged those who would want to enter the city in the morning of January 9 to come early.
Apart from strict border controls, the COCPO requested the cutting of the signal at 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. on January 9, based on their coordination with the Jesus Nazareno Parish Church.
The activity of the feast will start on January 8, where the image of the Black Nazarene will be brought to Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral from Jesus Nazareno Parish Church and is expected to arrive around 9 p.m. A holy mass will be followed at 10 p.m. to 12 a.m.
On January 9, there will be a morning mass that will start at 4 a.m., followed by the holy procession of the Black Nazarene’s image that will travel from Saint Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral, passing through Fernandez Street, Don Apolinar Velez Street, and CM Recto Avenue before reaching its final destination at Jesus Nazareno Parish Church.
Engr. Nonito Oclarit, department manager of the Roads and Traffic Administration, said they will deploy 130 traffic enforcers dedicated to the traslacion. This is apart from enforcers assigned from various areas in this city.
The COCPO deputy city director was unable to provide a figure, but he said they would deploy a sufficient number of personnel during the said religious activity.
Taboclaon added that they will copy the security arrangement surrounded in the Black Nazarene’s image during the traslacion in 2023 that contained five layers of security from Hijos and Hijas (first layer), COCPO personnel (second layer), augmentation (third layer), Task Force Oro personnel (fourth layer), and barangay tanods (fifth layer).
During traslacion, the authorities remind the public not to bring expensive gadgets, jewelry, bottled waters, tumblers, and huge amounts of money. They also stressed that wearing shades, caps, backpacks, and the use of drones are also prohibited during mass and procession.
They also prohibit bringing children, pregnant women, and individuals who are not feeling well during the procession.
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