By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent
POLICE authorities would have their hands full in the city today as they carry out security measures because of two big events: the end of Ramadan and the funeral of former mayor Pablo Magtajas.
Officials said they were expecting hundreds to flock to mosques, and the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center this morning because of Eid al-Fitr. The country goes on holiday today as Muslim Filipinos observe the day of feasting at the end of Ramadan.
Police said they were also expecting a huge crowd during the Magtajas funeral this afternoon. The 77-year old Magtajas, the city’s longest-serving mayor, died of cardiac arrest in a hospital here exactly a week ago.
Chief Insp. Mardy Hortillosa, Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) spokesman, said officers here were given orders to step up security measures because of the two events.
City police director Senior Supt. Robert Roy Bahian approved security plans for Eid al-Fitr and the Magtajas fineral.
“We are anticipating huge crowds,” said Hortillosa. “We, in the police, won’t take chances when it comes to public safety.”
Hortillosa said Muslims would start gathering at the Don Gregorio Pelaez Sports Center for an Eid al-Fitr activity at around 7 am.
He said the City Public Safety Company and bomb experts with highly trained dogs were given instructions to “sanitize” the capitolun facility ahead of the celebration.
Aminoden Guro, a Muslim who is the regional director of Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, said many Muslims would also be in various mosques.
“Fiesta man gud kini nga panahon pagka tapos sa holy month of Ramadan, mao nang ang atong mga Muslim brothers and sisters mag-ampo ug maminaw sila sa sermon sa mga Imam. Pagkahuman, manga-on dayon sila uban sa ilang mga silingan ug mga higala. So bibo kaayo basta Eid al-Fitr.”
Supt. Lemuel Gonda, Camp Alagar spokesman, said police director for Region 10 Chief Supt. Timoteo Pacleb ordered stricter inspections at checkpoints.
Gonda said the police have remained on full alert across the region.
Hortillosa said Cocpo was also prepared for the security during the funeral of Magtajas this afternoon.
Magtajas’s remains would be brought from city hall to the St. Augustine Cathedral before the afternoon interment. The former mayor would be laid to rest beside the grave of his wife Anita at Greenhills Memorial Park in Bulua.
City administrator Dionne Gersana said even the Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) would have its hands full today.
RTA, he said, would manage the flow of vehicular traffic from the city hall area up to the cemetery in Bulua.
Gersana said the Incident Management Team of the City Disaster Risk-Reduction Management Department would also be around to respond in case of an emergency situation during the Eid al-Fitr activities and the Magtajas funeral.
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