MORE OR less 2,000 personnel from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will be deployed to secure the oath-taking ceremony of vice president-elect Sara Duterte at the San Pedro Square on June 19.
In an interview, DCPO spokesperson, Maj. Ma. Teresita Gaspan, said some of the law enforcement officers will already secure the area a day before the event.
Gaspan said the security procedures include traffic and police measures, as well as mandatory protocols to be observed by those who plan to attend the event, which is estimated to draw a crowd of 20,000 people.
She bared the preliminary security measures based on the ongoing coordinating conferences for the event.
Although the finer details may be subject to change, Gaspan said that on June 16, all roads surrounding San Pedro Street (San Pedro Street, corner C.M. Recto, Bolton Street, cor Rizal Street, San Pedro Street corner Anda Street, and Bolton Street corner Magallanes) will be closed to traffic.
“Of course, wala pay final gyud na details, ‘no. Pero initially, meron ng coordinating conferences na ginahimo. We will be deploying around 2,000 ka mga security personnel for the full coverage sa maong event sa June 19 diha sa San Pedro Square. And the Davao City Police Office has recommended na isarado ang the whole San Pedro Street for transport (Of course, there are no final details yet. Initially, however, there are coordinating conferences being conducted. We will be deploying around 2,000 security personnel for the full coverage of the said event on June 19 at San Pedro Square. And, the Davao City Police Office has recommended the closure of the entire stretch San Pedro St. for transport),” she said.
The DCPO spokesperson also said groups planning to hold protests in time for the event have the right to do so but must conduct it with due consideration to public safety and convenience. She also expressed confidence in the capability of the Davao City Police and the discipline of Davaoeño protesters.
“Kung mag-rally sila, might as well magkuha sila’g permit. As to i-allow sila as long as their action does not cause any imminent danger or does not impede public convenience kay katungod man pud nila na magpadayag sa ilang opinyons sa ilahang gusto ipadayag, as long as their acts would not create any violence. Apil na siya sa atong pinang-andaman. So far, diri man gud sa Davao City bisan naay mga rally-rally, sa mga experience nato ‘no makita man nato na medyo disciplined man sila … Wala pa may nag-rally dinhi na medyo violent gyud, no or naay mga crime na nahitabo (If they want to hold a rally, they might as well secure a permit. As to them being allowed to do so, as long as their actions do not cause any imminent danger or do not impede public convenience because it is also their right to express their opinions and whatever they want to express, as long as their acts would not induce violence. This is included in our preparations. So far, here in Davao City even though there are protests, in our experience, we can see that they are somewhat disciplined … There has yet to be protest that escalated to violence or where crimes took place),” she further said.
For all who wish to witness the ceremony, the DCPO spokesperson said that they are prohibited from carrying backpacks, bringing sharp objects like bladed weapons and even umbrellas, and wearing jackets. They should also expect a thorough inspection, she added.
Although the event is open to all and has no age requirement, the DCPO urged parents not to bring small children along.
