POLICE today appealed to Cagayan de Oro residents to stay home during the rest of the Holy Week even as it pointed out that annual pilgrimages in the city have been canceled due to the Covid-19 threat.
“ Our police will be telling them to turn back and stay home,” said Maj. Ivan Viñas, spokesman of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo).
He said the police are strongly discouraging people to go to churches or other religious sites especially on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and until the Covid-19 threat is present.
“Going out to beaches on Easter Sunday is not allowed,” he said.
Also prohibited are trekkings to Malasag, Guadalupe and other Holy Week destinations in the city.
Viñas said that while the police respect religious freedom, they are urging them to refrain from engaging in outdoor religious activities for public safety.
“Even the mayor (Oscar Moreno) urged Cagayanons from all religious denominations to avoid large gatherings this Holy Week,” Viñas said. (Ben Balce)
