THE Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has deployed 1,555 policemen to ensure a peaceful celebration of this year’s Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
The festival kicked off Saturday with an agricultural fair dubbed as “Cosechas de Zamboanga” and the first ever lechon parade at the historic Plaza Pershing.
Newly-promoted Senior Superintendent Luisito Magnaye, ZCPO director, said policemen complemented by the troops of the Task Force Zamboanga are designated to secure the venues of all the activities.
Chief Superintendent Billy Beltran, Police Regional Office-Zamboanga Peninsula (Western Mindanao) director, has designated personnel who serve as the “outer” security forces.
Magnaye said normal police functions such as conduct of checkpoints, patrols, and counter-strikes will not be hampered despite the focus on the security of the festival.
Magnaye disclosed the security measures they adopted is to prevent violence since focus military operations continue against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan and Sulu provinces.
Magnaye urged the residents the presence of people acting suspiciously in their respective villages to the nearest police station to ensure the peaceful celebration of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
The local government has lined up several activities for the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
The highlight of which is the feast of Our Lady of the Pillar, the most revered saint of the city, on October 12.
The agricultural fair and lechon parade was followed by the parade of colors, music and dance known as bandoreal, grilled food fiesta dubbed as "Smoke Out Zamboanga" and Grand Midnight Sale.
The other activities of the festival include Regatta de Zamboanga, Parade of Lights, Street Party, Dance Sport competition, Zamboanga Peninsula Trade Exposition, Wow Sadrinas Grand Boodle Fight and others.