MANILA — The Manila Police District (MPD) will implement a 48-hour gun ban in the city in line with the feast of the Black Nazarene next week.
In a press briefing, Manila Police District (MPD) head Chief Superintendent Joel Coronel said the temporary gun ban would be from midnight of January 8 (Monday) to midnight of January 10 (Wednesday).
The Manila police official added that they will be jamming cellphone signals in all activity areas and procession route depending on where the andas (carriage) of the image is.
“Unlike the previous time, the shutdown is in the whole of Manila and surrounding cities. This time, it will only be for cellphone cell sites within the andas’ vicinity,” Coronel said.
He added that the air space covering the procession has also been declared by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines as a “no fly zone” for all types of aircrafts as well as drones.
Coronel noted that he submitted a recommendation to the Office of the Mayor for the imposition of a temporary ban of sale, and distribution of liquor and alcoholic beverages from 6 p.m. of January 8 to 6 a.m. of January10.
On the other hand, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Spokesman Armand Balilo said they would be deploying a total of 38 water crafts for the event.
He said that they will be implementing a “no sail zone” in the areas near the Quirino Grandstand.
Likewise, Balilo said that boats would be deployed in the areas under bridges where the procession would pass through.
For his part, Manila City Administrator Jojo Alcovendas disclosed that Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada has ordered the suspension of classes in the city.
“He already signed the Executive Order suspending classes in all public and private schools on January 9,” he added.
The official also said that Estrada suspended work at the city hall except the department directly involved in the event. (Ferdinand Patinio/PNA)
