Security forces ready for Kadayawan Festival

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 1): Security forces ready for Kadayawan Festival

DAVAO CITY – Close to 16,000 security forces will be deployed city-wide to secure the Kadayawan Festival from August 9 to 20.

In an interview Tuesday, Benito De Leon, the chief of Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), said the city government will be deploying more forces during this year’s festival following the Basilan explosion on Tuesday.

“There is an increase because of what happened in Basilan,” De Leon said, adding that the number does not include augmentation from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 yet.

Col. Nolasco Mempin, commander of Task Force Davao, said they have already implemented stricter measures in checkpoints in and out of Davao City.

Senior Insp Maria Teresita Gaspan, the spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said the deployment will start this week and that more forces will be deployed depending on the nature of the activity. She said civilian volunteers like village watchmen, and police auxiliary will also be deployed.

“Around 6,000 DCPO personnel and police auxiliary number of frequent personnel that will be deployed during major activities,” she added.

Orgaizers said this year's festivity promises to be bigger in terms of tourist and visitor arrivals, which are expected to hit 200,000.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1043277