POLICE in Eastern Visayas have assured visitors of a safe and secure twin fiesta celebration in the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc in June 2019.
Tacloban Police Director Michael David said they have conducted various simulation exercises on bomb explosion scenarios at the DZR airport and mall area in the city.
Also, police are conducting regular camp defense drills and simultaneous anti-criminality and law enforcement operations in different areas in the city.
David said they have augmentation force from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) and Leyte Provincial Police Office.
At least 14 police assistance desks are also established with personnel on detail 24/7 to immediately assist the public.
“Furthermore, 120 personnel from accredited volunteer groups such Pardss, Tacloban City Rescue Unit and Pmaceei(PVACB) are mobilized as force multipliers together with 320 members of the established Barangay Intelligence Networks and 1,020 members of Barangay Peace Action Teams including barangay tanods from 138 barangays of this city volunteered to provide public assistance, beat patrol (ronda), traffic management, road safety and vehicle road worthiness, and community watch during the period,” said David.
This year’s 130th fiesta celebration is to be highlighted by the “Sangyaw Parade of Lights” on June 29, nightly socio-cultural and religious activities at Sangyawan Park and RTR Plaza, and the holy mass in June 30 in honor of patron Señor Sto. Nino.
In Ormoc, Acting City Director Armel Gongona said they “intensified security coverage” for the various activities in the city from June 1 to 29.
According to Gongona, they are implementing four border security control posts, preventive mobile patrol, Oplan Bakal Sita, and prohibition on drinking spree dubbed as “Badlong Inom sa Kalsada.”
Ormoc police are also doing continuous lectures on community anti-terrorism awareness and promoting the immediate reporting of any suspicious person or activity happening within their respective barangays, the police official said. (SunStar Philippines)