Security measures in place ahead of holidays

By BEN BALCE
Staff member
and LITO RULONA
Correspondent

POLICE said security measures are in place in and around cemeteries and terminals in the city ahead of All Saints’ and All Souls’ days.

“The entire city has been placed under a full alert status,” said Chief Insp. Mardy Hortillosa, spokesman of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office.

Hortillosa said city police director Senior Supt. Roy Bahian ordered all Cocpo units to “double” security efforts, including intelligence information gathering to foil any possible terrorism plot.

He said the police were also directed to secure seaports aside from cemeteries and jeepney and bus terminals.

Hortillosa said some 1,500 police officers would start working on the field ahead of Nov. 1 and Nov. 2.

He said Army soldiers and “force multipliers” like members of the barangay police, government rescue teams, traffic aides and volunteers would be helping the police.

Meanwhile, Highway Patrol Unit regional chief  Moises Pagaduan  said his group was coordinating with the military and the city hall in order to help in securing the city.

Senior Supt. Pagaduan said Highway Patrol officers would be visible on the highway during the holidays, and help in executing the “Oplan Kalag-kalag 2017” security plan at the terminals and cemeteries.

He said he expects people to start flocking to the cemeteries tomorrow.

In another related development, buses and other public vehicles at the Bulua and Agora terminals would undergo inspections ahead of the holidays.

Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board regional director Aminodin Guro said LTFRB and the Land Transportation Office would join efforts in inspecting the public vehicles so as to ensure that these are in good condition. He said they would be on the watch for malfunctioning wipers.

Guro said authorities would also check the papers of the bus operators who were notified beforehand about the holiday inspections so they could prepare.

A help desk would be set up in the terminals to assist commuters.

Operators who plan to ply outside their designated routes may secure special permits at the help desks.

Oscar Salcedo, LTO regional director, said an initial round of inspections was already conducted, focusing on buses bound to the Zamboanga and Davao provinces.

Salcedo said even public vans at the Laguindingan airport were checked.

“Delikado ipa-biyahe kung dunay deperinsiya. Apil mga driver and conductors, ilang permits and licenses. Tan-awon sab nato ang ilang health tungod kay drivers are only allowed to drive six to eight hours a day,” Salcedo said.