BY ANTONIO COLINA IV
DAVAO CITY – A total of 7,030 security personnel will be deployed in the Davao region to ensure the safety of the people during Holy Week.
Major Eudisan Gultiano, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao (Region 11), said on Monday, April 3, they are composed of 3,700 police officers, 330 augmented personnel from the Bureau of Fire Protection and Armed Forces of the Philippines, and 3,000 force multipliers from the advocacy group of the PRO-Davao.
They would be deployed to 304 places of worship, 140 thoroughfares, 70 transportation hubs, 165 commercial areas, and 292 places of convergence.
Police Brig. Gen. Alden B. Delvo, PRO-11 chief, said they would do their best to ensure a peaceful and orderly observance of the Holy Week.
He reminded passengers to come to transportation terminals early and avoid wearing expensive pieces of jewelry.
Police Major Catherine dela Rey, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said police here are ready to secure churches as early as Palm Sunday as the security sector anticipates droves of devotees who will attend Mass.
She said people should expect stricter enforcement of security measures during Holy Week processions and other activities that would draw huge crowds in churches here.
“The churches are coordinating with their respective police stations to prepare deployment of security personnel,” she said.
Aside from churches, she said police are also implementing strict security measures in terminals, tourist spots, and even malls.
