CEBU CITY – The Armed Forces Visayas Command (Viscom) has deployed close to 1,000 personnel to help secure the 459th celebration of Fiesta Señor here.
Lt. Gen. Benedict M. Arevalo, Viscom commander, said 865 troops will help ensure a safe, orderly, and solemn conduct of the Fiesta Señor and other post-festival activities.
THE Armed Forces Visayas Command has deployed close to 1,000 troops to help secure the series of religious activities as part of the celebration of the 459th Fiesta Señor in Cebu City. (Contributed photo)
Activities for this year's Fiesta Señor started on January 11 with the Walk with Jesus procession.
The week-long religious activities will end on January 21, the feast of Santo Niño de Cebu. One of the major religious activities will be the fluvial procession on January 20.
“In observance of the solemnity of the celebration of Fiesta Señor, we will continue to be relentless in our security efforts to ensure the safety and security of the people who will be attending the series of festival activities. We are taking measures to prevent any threats from occurring during the festivity considering that we are expecting a huge crowd of devotees and pilgrims who will take part in the said religious celebration," Arevalo said.
Arevalo disclosed that of the 865 troops, 350 personnel are from the Philippine Army, 382 from the Philippine Navy, and 133 from the Philippine Air Force.
Security personnel also include 400 Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets.
Apart from the security personnel that will be deployed, a Quick Reaction Force (QRF) was organized and its Command Operations Center (COC) was activated.
The QRF and COC will closely monitor events and ensure a coordinated and timely response in case of any eventuality that may arise.
"We have not monitored any threat to the festivity. However, we will remain vigilant and will heighten our security efforts to prevent lawless elements and other threats from mounting untoward incidents that may hamper the celebration and sow fear to our people,” Arevalo said.