AT LEAST 2,000 security personnel will be deployed to ensure the security of the 20 confirmed Miss Universe candidates who will arrive in the city Thursday, January 19, for their ancillary event.
Speaking in a press conference on Wednesday, January 18, at The Royal Mandaya Hotel, Chief Inspector Andrea de la Cerna said there are only 20 of 88 candidates who were permitted to come due to security concerns.
The personnel to be deployed are combined forces of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), responders and other government offices.
De la Cerna also said that there are two task groups during the event, one for the peace and order and the other for the emergency preparedness and response (EPR).
The security plan is similar to the one implemented during the staging of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) chairmanship launching last Sunday that turned out to be a success.
"Magkakaroon lamang ng konting pag downgrade because hindi same ng dami yong delegates but yong security package at preparation will be the same (There will be a little downgrade from the Asean chairmanship launch because the number of delegates are less but the security package and preparation will be the same)," de la Cerna said.
The police will secure the places where the delegates are scheduled to visit, including the Eden Garden Resort in Toril and the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier for the Mindanao Tapestry Show.
There are also 170 personnel who are already in place at Davao International Airport (DIA) to assure the smooth arrival of the candidates who are set to arrive at 9 a.m.
Considering the influx of crowd who wish to meet and greet the beauties, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao has designated law enforcers for crowd control and even the parking security of the airport.
De la Cerna also reiterated the directive of PRO-Davao Regional Director Chief Superintendent Manuel Gaerlan to strictly observe a "no-selfie" for the uniformed personnel to avoid distraction in their duties.