BUTUAN CITY -- The Surigao del Norte Provincial Police Office (SDNPPO) and the 30th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army revealed that they would be stepping up their security measures in the island of Siargao in preparation for this year’s 23rd Annual International Surfing Cup slated on the 3rd to the 4th week of September.
The town of General Luna, where the famous Cloud 9 is located, is the venue of the competition.
Police Senior Superintendent Antony Maghari, provincial director of SDNPPO, said around 100 police officers from the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) will be detailed to the town to ensure the security not only for competitors but for tourists as well.
Maghari pointed out that the RPSB will be reinforced with personnel from the other police stations in the island.
“Right now we already have several members of our provincial Special Weapons and Tactics unit in Siargao Island. Motorcycle units from the eight towns within the island will also reinforce the RPSB contingent,” Maghari said.
Maghari clarified that there is no information that would suggest Siargao is facing imminent danger or threat.
“We have placed the proper security measure just to make sure and that we would not be too complacent when it comes to security,” he said adding the police is constantly on the lookout for any sudden change in the security risk assessment.
Maghari said the SDNPPO would also meet with the different resort owners in the island to discuss further security plans and preparations.
The province of Surigao del Norte will be allocating a total budget of P1.3 million to be used by the PNP, Philippine Army and the Philippine Coast Guard in securing the international surfing event. This will include the cost of food, accommodation and transportation of the said personnel in the island.
Mary Jean Camarin, officer in charge of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Caraga Region, said she is confident on the security preparations in place for the international surfing event.
“We have seen the security plan drawn by the province and we are pleased by the preparation being done to ensure the security of our guests,” she said.
“On our part, starting on the first week of September we will be conducting a 3-day Tourist Oriented Police for Community Protection or Top-Cop seminar for our police security personnel. It is essential that our police personnel will be oriented towards how to manage and promote a good relationship with our tourist guests to make them feel not only secured by relaxed and worry free for the duration of their stay on the island,” Camarin added.
Data from the DOT-Caraga revealed that from January to June this year, there have been around 55,735 total tourist arrivals in Siargao Island from the 40,421 local visitors and 15,314 foreign guests that have visited the island.