Deputy City Director for Operations of the Davao City Police Office Angel B. Sumagaysay reiterates that backpacks, ball caps, sunglasses, and bottled waters, among others will be prohibited in the event areas during the Kadayawan Celebration. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
DAVAO CITY – Four days before the celebration of Kadayawan Festival this year, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) already geared up to do intense security monitoring of the city during the event.
Chief Inspector Angel Sumagaysay said that planning and preparation is done and they are now ready to secure the city during the 31st Kadayawan festival this August 15-21.
Along with Sumagaysay, he said that the Emergency Hotline 911 and the Eastern Mindanao Command is also set for the festival.
“We are now ready to implement our joint security preparation plan for the Kadayawan festival so hopefully a day before the event, we are already set up in our different posting areas together with the 911 and Public Safety and Security Command Center,” he said.
Sumagaysay said that as of now, 3,468 personnel will be deployed during the celebration.
He said that they are still waiting for additional personnel if they think that they still need to deploy police personnel in an area.
Just like in the past Kadayawan festival celebrations, Sumagaysay said that it is still restricted to wear caps, back pack, sunglasses and carry bottled waters and cans.
They will intensify more the security actions since President Rodrigo Duterte will be present during the event.
“We will adjust our security preparation to that of the preparations by the Presidential Security Group (PSG) since they will be the one who will decide the security plan on the event where President Duterte is present,” he said.
Police stations as baggage area
As part of their security in Kadayawan festival, Sumagaysay said that during the celebration, the public may leave their bags in police stations which will serve as baggage areas.
Sumagaysay said that San Pedro Police station and the Sta. Ana Police station will be the designated baggage areas for the public.
He added that for those whose bags will be confiscated, they will be given numbers and can get it in the nearest designated police station where they located.
Sumagaysay said that he is hopeful that the public will cooperate when it comes to security matters and “hopefully mahuman nato ni siya na walay mahitabo na mali (hopefully, as we end the Kadayawan Festival there will be no accidents or tragedy that will happen).”
He reminded families to be cautious about leaving their houses to celebrate Kadayawan Festival.
“Pag-ingat mo, ang balay ninyo ayaw ninyo ug biya-e, kumpyansa mo naa mo tanan diri sa tanan basin sakahon na (Take care and don’t leave your houses unattended, don’t get confident especially leaving your house and you’re here in downtown, there might be house theft),” Sumagaysay said.(davaotoday.com)
