Army beefs up Oro’s fiesta security force

By NITZ ARANCON
Correspondent

CAMP Evangelista would be deploying soldiers to help the police as it steps up security measures in the city this fiesta week. City hall said at least a thousand government troops would help the city police office in securing the city this week.

City police director Senior Supt. Ronnie Francis Cariaga confirmed over the weekend that 4th Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal has approved the police’s request for an augmentation force.

Camp Alagar, the seat of the National Police in northern Mindanao, would also field special police units to help the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) in carrying out its security plan. Chief Supt. Noel Constantino, police director for Region 10, approved the plan to beef up the city’s security forces, said Cocpo spokesman Chief Insp. Allan Curato.

Mayor Oscar Moreno said he was expecting at least a thousand soldiers and officers from Camp Evangelista and Camp Alagar to help in the fiesta security operations.

Curato said the troops would be fielded to the city starting this Thursday, Aug. 25, specifically to secure vital installations and crowded places.

He said soldiers and police officers are to be expected to secure churches, malls, terminals and seaports, among others.

Curato said the troops would become strict during the Aug. 27 Higalaay Parade and float from the Rodelsa circle   all the way to the Limketkai center in Lapasan.

Police advised fiesta revelers not to wear hats or caps and sunglasses or anything that could be seen as concealing one’s identity. Revelers are also discouraged from bringing bags.

“Our security plan is in place. Changes could be made in the coming days,” Curato said.

He said that while the police have been ruling out threats of terrorism by an international terrorist organization, he said authorities would not take chances.