CEBU CITY, Jan. 2 -- More police personnel will be deployed starting this week to secure socio-cultural and religious activities for this year's Sinulog Fiesta -- the first in-person celebration in three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lt. Col. Mark Gifter Sucalit, deputy director for operations of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO), said 600 of the 2,000-strong police force in the province will augment personnel from the Cebu City police and other law enforcement units.

"It's a big challenge to secure the Sinulog. So it takes resources, which means personnel, for the deployment," Sucalit said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

The personnel who will secure major activity areas, including the downtown area all the way to the Ba...