CEBU CITY — Policemen caught slacking on the job will be penalized.
LOCAL officials assure that the newly rehabilitated oval track of the Cebu City Sports Center is ready for the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, which will open on July 9. (Calvin D. Cordova)
Police Col. Ireneo Dalogdog, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, issued this stern warning to policemen deployed to secure the opening of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa on Tuesday, July 9.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte will attend the opening ceremony at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Some 400 policemen, soldiers, and force multipliers will be deployed during the opening ceremony, which will start with a parade starting at Fuente Osmeña.
Dalogdog on Monday, July 8, gathered policemen deployed to secure the opening.
Aside from being always alert, Dalogdog reminded his men to be accommodating, courteous, and smile at all times.
Dalogdog reiterated the order of Police Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, chief of the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, barring the police from unnecessary use of mobile phones while on duty.
“Do not use cellular phones or any gadget while on duty except in emergency cases or situations or when you are rendering a report to higher command. A lot of policemen have been relieved because they were caught playing mobile games while performing duty,” said Dalogdog.
Dalogdog added that a “red team” has been tasked to inspect and monitor policemen deployed for the Palaro.
Meanwhile, the city government has assured that the CCSC, the main venue of the Palarong Pambansa, is ready for the competition.
John Pages, head of the city’s sports commission, gave this assurance after photos of some defects at the newly rehabilitated rubberized track oval of CCSC circulated on social media.
“We have been in touch with the contractors and they are making necessary repairs,” said Pages in a press conference on Monday, July 8.
Pages pointed out only portions of the track oval need minor repairs.
He assured that the repairs will be completed in time for the start of the athletics.
“Let us remember that the entire track oval is a huge area, 400 meters in distance, eight laps. There are just some portions that need to be repaired. So they are going to be done. Of course, the most important is the track oval will be ready for the games on July 11 when we start the athletics competition. Definitely, the track will be ready. These are just minor repairs that are being done,” said Pages.