Lapu-Lapu heightens security coverage

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City is now on heightened alert for the Christmas season and next year’s major events like the Sinulog Festival, the International Eucharistic Congress, and the May 2016 elections.

Police Senior Superintendent Armando Radoc, acting director of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said they are now securing some of the city’s areas of convergence such as churches, public utility jeepney terminals, wharfs and malls.

“Gawas sa gi-heighten (ang status), duna sab ta’y security officers meeting, reminding them to strictly enforce security measures financial establishments. Dunay ta’y monthly conference nga i-tackle nato how they will be able to continuously improve their security system in their respective establishments,” Radoc said.

Lapu-Lapu City will host the IEC Youth Congress in Hoopsdome, Barangay Gun-ob on January 28, but Radoc has no exact figures for police deployment yet since they are depending on the number of the delegates to arrive in the area.

“We will identify if wala ba’y mga armed groups — political or private armed groups. Through patrol, anybody who has an intention to violate the law will be deterred,” Radoc said, referring to the May 2016 elections.

Radoc said they are also looking through the security of several subdivisions, reminding the security guards to take note those who enter their areas.

He said officers from the city’s five police stations are conducting nightly rovings in subdivisions since they know their area of responsibility.

He reminded blue guards securing gated subdivisions to be vigilant always.

 “Atoa pud gi-remind ang mga security providers or protective agencies sa ilahang mga blue guards nga to be more alert, unya listing of vehicles coming in and out (of the subdivision), ma-register gyud sa ilahang log book,” he said.

For his part, Police Senior Superintendent Joselito Salido, chief of Aviation Security Group-7, said the Mactan-Cebu International Airport has enhanced its security coverage since November 1.

Salido said this as they are expecting a surge in both domestic and international arrivals before holiday season and the major events lined up in Cebu next year.  (FREEMAN)