SOME car and motorcycle dealers have volunteered to lend their vehicles to Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) and the military if only to help secure the city during its fiesta celebration.
This came after the threat of terrorism was heightened by Cocpo to Level 3 as Cagayan de Oro is nearing its fiesta revelry in honor of patron saint, St. Augustine.
City Councilor Romeo Calizo, chairperson of the City Council committee on police, fire, and public safety, said that upon knowing that the security forces have a problem on mobility, local car and motorcycle companies immediately come to the rescue.
“They were 'kind enough' to offer their vehicles for the security forces in the city,” Calizo said.
Among the car dealers that committed to lend pick up cars are Chevrolet, Kia, Isuzu, Ford, and Hyundai. Foton offered a van type vehicle.
Calizo said Mitsubishi is also expected to catch up.
Calizo said every week the military receives bomb threats in an average of three times a week, thus raising the security threat to level three.
Calizo pointed out that vehicles are necessary not only for the policemen and soldiers, but also for the K9 dogs, trained for detecting bombs.
The vehicles will be sent to the authorities custody once the Memorandum of Understanding is signed by the City Mayor this week.
This year's Higalaay festival has 14 core events and 69 parallel events slated for August 1 to 31.
The first day of the month-long celebration kicked off with the Agri Fair and Garden Show, followed by the Mindanao Fashion Summit, Asean Landmark Lighting, Cowboy Festival, Kahimunan Regional Trade Fair 2017, Kagay-an Festival Marathon, Carnival street dance competition, the newest Higalaay Choral Competition, the first Higalaay Mindanao Expo 2017, Miss Cagayan de Oro 2017, Street Parade and Floats, Bisperas Fireworks, religious and fluvial processions, Pyro Musical Festival, and Higalaay Festival Sale. (Elena Gomez, MSU-Marawi intern/SunStar Cagayan de Oro)