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By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

SOME 100 police officers, excluding Army soldiers, would be fielded to the Limketkai Center where the city’s top mayoral and vice mayoral candidates would meet face-to-face today for their final public debate before the elections.

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City police director Senior Supt. Faro Antonio Olaguera said most of the police officers would step up security at the Limketkai Atrium, the public debate venue.

Some police officers who would be in civilian clothes because their task is to mix with the crowd in order to identify potential threats.

Olaguera said the police would strictly implement security measures to ensure the success of the “Final Debate 2016.”

Police stations in the city have been ordered to raise their alert levels.

He said police would start securing the debate venue starting this morning.

Olaguera said highly trained dogs would be used in clearing the area before the program starts, and would continue to be used by the police near the main entrance.

He said soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division would also be deployed to the area to beef up security forces that would include Limketkai’s in-house security group.

Olaguera said the Army team  would be strategically positioned in the area, and would serve as a reactionary force.

“But we believe that Kagayanons are peace-loving people. Mag-cheer ra sila sa ilang respective candidates,” he said.

Organizers earlier said security would be tight at the debate venue where the political rivals would be allowed to bring some 1,500 partisans or 500 supporters for each of the three warring political groups. Organizers have also allotted a thousand seats for journalists, local officials, and partner organizations.

Olaguera said the police  would confiscate hard and sharp objects.

“Walay placard nga dunay kahoy ang i-allow pagsulod. Police officers will be stationed in all areas where political supporters are situated,” he said.

Organizers said they would also deploy marshals that would escort anyone who becomes unruly out.

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