The Philippine Navy through Naval Forces Central (NFC) participated in the conduct of Fluvial Procession in connection with the SINULOG Festival 2023 in honor of the 458th Fiesta Senor Sto Nino Celebration along Mactan Channel from Captain Veloso Pier, Naval Base Rafael Ramos to Pier 1, Cebu City .
Naval Task Force 50 through Naval Task Group 50.5 (SINULOG 2023) deployed eight (8) naval assets namely; BRP BATAK (LC 299), BRP TAUSUG (LC 295), BRP FILIPINO FLOJO (PC 386), BRP ENRIQUE JURADO (PC 371), Patrol Boats 357 and 359, and two (2) Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB) from Naval Special Operations Unit (NAVSOU) 5 jibed the successful conduct of seaborne security operations that accommodated an estimated 700 devotees as passengers including officials from the Cebu City government, the media group and other VIPs to witness the significant religious event.
Report reaching the office Navy Flag Officer in Command Vice Admiral Toribio Adaci said, escort and security operations for the Fluvial Procession in honor of the Senor Sto. Nino was made possible through the effective coordination with other Law Enforcement Agencies.
This to ensure the safe and secure conduct and passage of the Traditional Galleon of Senor Sto Nino (Sinulog Fluvial Procession) from the staging area at Captain Veloso Pier, Naval Base Rafael Ramos to Pier 1, Cebu City.
The Sinulog procession passage filled Mactan Channel with devotees onboard their respective watercraft, and ended peacefully and safely with no reported accident and major incident.
The Visayas Command said that through the Naval Forces Central, it will continue its advocacy and unwavering commitment as a reliable partner in bringing prompt, responsive, and effective assistance and services that ensured the successful, safe and memorable conduct of the SINULOG activities and festivities this year which had been postponed for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (VICTOR BALDEMOR RUIZ)
