Security measures for Miss U in place

MANILA, Philippines - The National Capital Region Police Office has security measures for the SM Mall of Asia  (MOA) Arena, where the Miss Universe pageant will be held on Jan. 30, in place, NCRPO chief Director Oscar Albayalde said yesterday.

“We are are 100 percent prepared. Maybe there will be some minor adjustments,” he said in a news briefing at Camp Crame.

At least 1,858 policemen, 200 soldiers and 150 Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel will secure the pageant, he said.

Albayalde said around 267 barong-clad policemen will be at the perimeter and within the venue to prevent firearms and explosives from being smuggled into the arena. Except for two sniper teams at the fifth floor of the arena, the rest of the policemen will not carry firearms.

Invited guests and other people who will watch the pageant will undergo inspection at four security checkpoints and pass through five x-ray scanners.

Albayalde said they are expecting about 15,000 people to be present during the pageant.

Organizers invited President Duterte but Albayalde said there is still no confirmation if the Chief Executive will attend. Seats have been reserved for Duterte and Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

There will be no traffic rerouting as the pageant will be held Monday morning.

Signal jammers will not be used during the pageant; Albayalde explained they need communication equipment to coordinate with officials and organizers.

He said they have not monitored security threats but they are not downplaying any threat, especially from Islamic militants in Mindanao.

“We still maintain a high security threat level,” he said.

Sea patrol

The PCG, meanwhile, has been patrolling at the back of arena and preventing boats from reaching the shorelines as part of the security for the Miss Universe pageant. The sea patrol is from Okada Manila Hotel to Conrad Manila Hotel.

Ensign Mizar Cumbe of PCG National Capital Region-Central Luzon said the PCG dispatched personnel on two aluminum boats, a rubber boat and a cutter ship at the back of the arena since Jan. 12.

“We would continue to conduct patrol in the area until Feb. 1 or for as long as there is a contestant staying in the area. We would maintain a tight security to avoid any embarrassment to the country. If anything happens there, it could become an international issue,” Cumbe said.

“We have issued a notice to mariners and gave instructions to fishing boats and other sea vessels to avoid passing through within the MOA Area or 700 yards away from the shoreline. If they violate the imposed restriction, a PCG floating asset would escort them away from the area of operations,” he added.

Only the cruise ship owned and operated by the SM MOA is allowed to pass but it is always closely guarded.