by pna
Thousands of pilgrims are
streaming into the towns of Ginatilan in southern Cebu and in Toledo City in western Cebu for the celebration of the canonization of the first Visayan saint, Pedro Calungsod Sunday, police said.
Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) said they have augmented police forces in the two areas to secure the pilgrims.
Police officials in Ginatilan and Toledo City said the expected an estimated 80,000 people, mostly pilgrims, to attend the festivities.
CPPO Director Patrocinio Comendador said that aside from the police force assigned in both local government units (LGUs), they deployed an additional 20 policemen to serve as augmentation force.
Aside from the police in the two LGUs, police forces from neighboring LGUs will also conduct checkpoints to ensure the streets remain safe.
Police officials of Ginatilan and Toledo City said they are ready for the event.
Insp. Christopher Castro, Ginatilan police chief, told reporters that more than 30,000 pilgrims plan to visit the town.
Ginatilan, which is the reported birthplace of the young Visayan martyr, is holding a four-day fiesta in honor of Calungsod.
In Cantabaco, Toledo City Deputy Police Chief Insp. Bonifacio Lucerna told reporters that they have already made initial deployment in the Blessed Pedro Calungsod Parish.
They are expecting 50,000 pilgrims from the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.
Comendador said Ginatilan and Toledo City were placed on heightened alert for the arrival of pilgrims and visitors.
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