CEBU, Philippines - To assist motorists and triathletes participating at the Ironman 70.3 Philippines, City Traffic Operations Management will deploy 180 personnel along the bike route.
The swim-bike-run race route covers the three cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Cebu.
CITOM earlier announced that pier area going to the South Road Properties will be closed to traffic, being part of the 70.3 kilometer race route.
Organizers and involved local government units had a smooth final preparation a day before today’s race.
“For organizers, just last-minute checkup to make sure we close on time. For others, last-minute check to make sure that CPA is also go on the preparations. No more last-minute changes,†CITOM executive director Rafael Christopher Yap said.
Gates at the Cebu Port Authority area must be closed to prevent unauthorized exits, Yap added.
Motorists will not be allowed to access the SRP tunnel since triathletes will be using it.
Last year, a Cebuano Ironman participant met an accident and died during the bike leg at the SRP. His wife, part of the relay team, waited for him in vain in Lapu-Lapu City.
Regardless of zero monitored threats, police in Central Visayas particularly in Metro Cebu won’t slack off and will keep their guard to secure the triathlon today.
Superintendent Pablo Labra II, chief of the Regional Intelligence Division of Police Regional Office-7, said they have not received any threats.
“But dili ta magkumpiyansa bisan og wala ta’y mga threat nadawat,†he said.
Labra said aside from the deployment from different police offices, the PRO-7 will also deploy covert police personnel to assist uniformed personnel in securing the event.
The policemen, Labra added, will be deployed from early morning today until the event finishes or until all participants safely leave the venue.
Senior Supt. Marino Natu-el, Jr., the outgoing Cebu City Police Office director, has also ordered the deployment of close to 250 police personnel and 100 assisting members of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team for the road security.
“We’ll be providing route and area security along the road na maagian. Ubay-ubay na pulis atong ipakatap,†said Natu-el.
Motorists have been advised to avoid seaport roads today due to the triathlon and to follow rerouting signals.
Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director Rey Lyndon Lawas has also assured to tighten the security not only in Lapu-Lapu City but including the three neighboring cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines and other agencies will also be assisting the police. Medical stations will also be designated in key areas. — /BRP (FREEMAN)