DESPITE the absence of direct threats, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has yet to finalize the deployment details of the 23,054 security personnel for the 38th Kadayawan Festival.
During the AFP-PNP Press Corps media forum held Wednesday, August 16, 2023, DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon said the total number of personnel from various agencies would be adjusted according to the requirements of each event.
She said, "Depende man gud na sa event kung unsa kadaghan ang tao. Pwede mi makadugang og tao ana (The number of personnel will depend on the event and the crowd size. We can increase the workforce as needed)."
Meanwhile, when questioned about the current crime situation in the city, DCPO director PCol. Alberto Lupaz assured that Davao City remains safe despite a few serious crimes reported in recent months.
He said, "Yes, Davao City is still safe. Ang nahitabo lang, dahil pumasok yung second quarter, merong mga nangyayaring significant incidents. We are on top of the situation. Nakaimbestiga tayo na maayos (Yes, Davao City is still a safe place. There have been significant incidents, but these occurred mainly in the second quarter of 2023. We have thoroughly investigated each case and effectively managed the situation)."
Lupaz also underscored the role of social media in creating unnecessary panic. "Masama ang [pinopost] sa social media, yun ang naga-complicate sa [issue](Misinformation on social media tends to complicate matters)," he said.
It can be recalled that PRO-Davao spokesperson Maj. Catherine Dela Rey already said there would be no reduction in security measures for the Kadayawan Festival.
Among the 23,054 personnel involved, 10,113 are from DCPO, 2,883 from Task Force Davao, 218 from Joint Task Force Haribon, 210 from the Philippine Coast Guard, 220 from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, 400 from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, 240 from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, 245 from the Regional Maritime Unit, and 335 from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Davao. These personnel will collaborate to ensure the safety and smooth operation of the festival. DEF