WITH thousands of visitors expected to grace this year's Diyandi Festival, police authorities in Iligan City have beefed up their security forces for the month-long fiesta celebration this September.
Senior Superintendent Gerardo Rosales, Iligan City police director, said they have asked from the regional police office for augmentation of their troops to help them ensure a peaceful celebration of the feast of St. Michael, Iligan's patron saint.
Rosales told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro via text message Friday afternoon that over 500 police officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RSPB), Regional Special Training Unit (RSTU), and Special Action Force (SAF) have been deployed for visibility around the city starting September 1 until the festivities will cap off on October 10.
The police director added they are closely working with the Philippine Army who will help straining entry and exit points for suspicious people.
Like the previous years, the Office of the City Mayor requested military men mechanized with armored trucks to safeguard all tourists, residents and businesses in the city.
Rosales added that they always consider imminent terror plots even not during celebrations.
Chief Inspector Gervacio Balmaceda, Iligan City police spokesperson, said members of the city’s communication rescue unit, civic volunteer groups and “tanods” will also be visible in all activities.
Rosales is calling the full cooperation of residents to be extra vigilant to help them strengthen security measures in their own way.
"We encourage the public to bear with us especially on the strict implementation of security matters. Likewise, we encourage them to report to the police any suspicious personalities and unattended baggages for inspection," Rosales noted.
Police hotlines have also been spread around the city's premises so residents and tourists will have easy access to reaching out to authorities.
The city's structure of command system has been increased through the coordination with the army and the local government unit and all concerned organizations.
Rosales said public assistance centers in crowded areas like malls, churches, plazas and bus terminals are being put up, while police officers are stationed at all corners.
In a closed-door meeting last August 20, police chiefs of Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon and Misamis Oriental were convened to discuss measures to counter terror threats during the cities’ respective festivities.
Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Lemuel Gonda, chief of Cagayan de Oro police's Operations and Plans Branch, said they placed the city in heightened alert following the activities taking place in Iligan City.