Members of the Davao City Police Office (davaotoday.com file photo)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Starting on January 15, the Davao City Police Office would deploy 1,000 personnel to secure the areas to be used by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, while another 400 police forces would secure some 40 Ms. Universe candidates.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, police spokesperson Police Senior Inspector Catherine Dela Rey said “we are currently finalizing the security measures especially because the day of the ASEAN Summit is coming near.”
Dela Rey said they are expecting at least 1,000 guests, which will come from various diplomatic agencies, the private sector, media, local government units, cabinet members, and other government officials.
Police would secure the roads and the surrounding areas of SMX Convention Center, inside SM Lanang Premier where the summit will be held.
For his part, DCPO Traffic group chief Supt. Ernesto Castillo said they will also take part in the city’s preparations, saying they will be taking over the ceremonial routes, or the roads where ASEAN delegates will pass through.
Castillo said there will be no rerouting or closed roads, as traffic enforcers from the City Transportation and Traffic Management Office and the DCPO Traffic Group will only be taking over the roads when the delegates travel through them.
Meanwhile, Dela Rey said some 400 policemen will be deployed for the arrival and activities of the Miss Universe candidates on January 19.
The policemen will be securing 40 out of the 85 candidates as they visit the Eden Nature Park and Resort in Barangay Eden, Toril District. Later that day, the candidates will hold a fashion show to be held in the SMX Convention Center.
The ASEAN is composed of the Philippines, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is ASEAN’s current chairperson. (davaotoday.com)
