865 soldiers, 400 cadets help secure Sinulog

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 865 soldiers and 400 cadets of the Reserve Officers Training Corps will be deployed in Cebu City to help secure the month-long Sinulog Festival, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said yesterday.

“These personnel will help ensure a safe, orderly and solemn conduct of the 459th celebration of the Fiesta Señor and other post-festival events,” Lt. Col. Israel Galorio, public affairs office chief of the military’s Visayas Command (VisCom), said.

Of the 865 troopers, 350 are from the Army, 382 from the Navy and 133 from the Air Force, all composed of officers, enlisted personnel and active reservists.

In coordination with the Philippine National Police and other local government agencies, the soldiers will man security points during the Penitential Walk, Sinulog sa Kabataan sa Dakbayan, Sinulog sa Lalawigan, and Fluvial and Solemn Procession as well as during the Sinulog Grand Parade on Jan. 21 along the South Road Properties.