GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Security measures have been tightened in South Cotabato in line with the week-long celebration of the province’s 2018 T’nalak Festival and 52nd foundation anniversary.
Senior Supt. Nestor Salcedo, South Cotabato police director, said Wednesday they have placed all their units under heightened alert to ensure the “safe, smooth and orderly” conduct of the festivities, which will open on Thursday, July 12.
He said all security measures and activities are already in place, covering all festival venues and other strategic areas.
Based on their security plan, he said their personnel are on full deployment starting Wednesday until July 19.
“We’re all set with our preparations and so far covered all security-related concerns,” he said in a press conference.
Salcedo specifically cited the overall peace and order, traffic management, as well as venue and crowd security.
He said they have assigned teams to specifically secure the main festival site along Alunan Avenue and the outlying areas in Koronadal City, main roads and highways and the province’s entry and exit points.
Security hotlines and police assistance desks will be set up in festival venues and other strategic points, he said.
The official said they tapped local civil security personnel and barangay peacekeeping teams to serve as security force multipliers.
He said the Police Regional Office-12 is also deploying augmentation personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion-12 for the entire festival period.
As part of the security measures, Salcedo said the carrying of backpacks are prohibited in all festival venues.
He said inspection teams will be deployed in all entrance areas to check for possible illegal items like deadly weapons and firearms.
“We cannot afford to be complacent as we again expect thousands of visitors coming in during the entire celebration,” he said.
Major Esmundo Estores Jr., executive officer of the Army’s 27th Infantry Battalion, said they assigned a section composed of 18 personnel to help secure the festival venues.
He said their units, which are situated in peripheral areas of the province, will also be on standby for any eventuality.
“We will be regularly evaluating the situation on the ground for the possible deployment of additional personnel,” he said.
Now on its 19th year, the T’nalak Festival is considered as one of the biggest annual celebrations in Region 12 or Soccsksargen.
Major activities and events are slated until July 18, the province’s 52nd foundation day. (Alejandro Saludo/PNA)
