Misor, Oro raise alert, security levels for Holy Week

By SHIELA MAE BUTLIG
and LITO RULONA
Correspondents .

OFFICIALS in Misamis Oriental and Cagayan de Oro have raised the alert level even as they prepare security measures in time for the Holy Week.

Destura said the aim of the provincial police is to prevent any disruption of peace and order in tourist destinations, and during religious gatherings especially in Talisayan, El Salvador, Laguindingan, Medina, Binuangan and  Gingoog.

Destura said the police would set up more checkpoints, and would closely monitor places that are potential targets for terrorism.

He said the police would also set up help desks in places where tourists and religious devotees would flock.

The capitol, according to Destura, gave police stations in the province P10,000 and two sacks of rice each to help them in keeping their areas of responsibility peaceful and orderly this week.

Meanwhile, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Department said it would field workers in strategic areas of the city to respond to possible emergency situations this week, especially during the religious holidays.

CDRRMD head Allan Porcadilla said city hall’s Incident Management Team would be monitoring and helping the police and military in securing crowded places during the religious holidays.

Porcadilla said they would be deployed especially along the roads leading to Malasag and the Guadalupe Shrine.

Firefighters would be there to prevent grassfires, he said.

Members of Task Force Oro, Oro Rescue and their barangay-based counterparts would also help near churches, according to  Porcadilla.

Misamis Oriental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Fernando Dy said provincial officials would continue to closely coordinate with the police, Army, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the province’s electric utility cooperatives and and volunteer groups.