DAVAO CITY – Around 2,000 security forces will be deployed to secure the venue of the inauguration of Vice President-elect Sara Duterte on June 19 here, an official of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said on Tuesday.
DCPO spokesperson PMaj. Ma. Teresita P. Gaspan said during an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR 87.5) that stricter security protocols have been laid down to maintain the peace and order as the event is expected to draw a crowd of at least 20,000 individuals from all over the Philippines.
She said deployment of the joint personnel from police and military will begin at least a day before the event to secure the venue at San Pedro Street, located right across the decades-old City Hall of Davao.
“We need to size up the area and start set up of our physical preparation on June 18,” said Gaspan.
She said coordinating conference in the security cluster is ongoing to finetune the security plan.
She said the security cluster has proposed a three-day closure of the entire stretch of San Pedro Street beginning June 16, but they need to secure a resolution from the City Council of Davao approving it.
She said the public will be informed once a re-routing will be enforced on that day.
She said anticipated huge crowd will be a challenge but assured that they are ready to handle the situation with augmentation from Police Regional Office and Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Gaspan told those who are planning to attend the oath-taking to avoid bringing prohibited items into the venue, including jackets, umbrellas, backpacks, and bladed weapons.
She said attendees should expect a tight inspection upon entry to the venue as a “multi-layered security” will be enforced.
“There will be layer-to-layer inspection,” she said.
She said progressive groups will not be prevented from holding rallies for as long as their acts don’t ‘pose any imminent danger or impede public convenience.’ “It’s their right to express their opinion as long as their acts would not create any violence,” she said.