600 cops secure 'Panaad' in Butuan City on Good Friday

BUTUAN CITY – About 600 policemen, complemented by soldiers and force multipliers, are securing this year’s “Panaad” or Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) in Barangay Anticala here on Good Friday, March 29.

The Police Regional Office-13 led by Police Brig. Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft fully supports this year’s Panaad, PRO 13 Regional Public Information Office (RPIO) chief Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer said.

“Let us make use of this time to commemorate the love of our savior Jesus Christ for us and ask for His divine providence in keeping our region safe and sound, with no untoward incident,” said Ometer on Maundy Thursday.

“Let us make use this time to commemorate the love of savior, Jesus Christ who give his life for us, and also ask for His divine providence in keeping Caraga region safe and sound and protected,” Kraft said. 

Thousands of devotees are expected as part of their Holy Week pilgrimage starting at dawn.

Pickup points have been set up in strategic areas to enable people to reach the starting point as early as 2 a.m. 

Devotees pray on 14 Stations of the Cross of Jesus Christ stretching for about five kilometers across the mountainside road.