CEBU CITY – Expect tight security for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa on July 9 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said that security will be tighter than usual with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte attending the opening ceremony.
Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, deputy city director for administration of the CCPO, discouraged bringing of large bags when entering the CCSC.
Rafter said the CCPO will provide area and route security while and the Presidential Security Group will handle security inside the CCSC.
She said a team from the Civil Disturbance Management will be deployed in case militant groups hold protest rallies.
Groups will be allowed to hold programs as long as it will not be near the CCSC, Rafter said. “We will observe maximum tolerance but we will encourage groups to abide by the regulation.”
The Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO-7) has been on full alert since June 30 as part of the security preparations for the Palarong Pambansa.
The PRO-7 said it has yet to monitor threats that may disrupt the holding of the competition.
Police Col. Noel Flores, deputy regional director for operations of PRO-7, led the inspection of CCSC grounds as part of the deployment plan.
At least 2,000 police personnel will be deployed to secure the 25,000 student-athletes and officials attending the Palaro.