BAGUIO CITY – The City Government and the Baguio City Police Office(BCPO) assured the safety and security of tourists and locals for the upcoming activities highlighting the Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga this weekend.
City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said that the city is very much safe for everyone no “red alert status” has been raised in the city.
Domogan said that no less than President Rodrigo Duterte visited the city just last week as guest of honor and speaker of the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming 2017. He added that the security preparations done during the President’s visit will be intensified for the grand street parade and float parade this Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
BCPO Director PSSupt. Ramil Saculles said they are mobilizing around 900 PNP personnel coming from the BCPO, the PNP Cordillera Training School and the Police Regional Office-Cordillera during the two-day event.
They will also be assisted by volunteers and force multipliers such as radio communication groups and the medical rescue groups at the parade routes and even outside the central business district. The barangay peace action teams will also be on alert in the respective barangays to guard against lawless elements.
Saculles stressed that there is no imminent threat of terrorism in the city but they have included the preparations for possible attacks of terrorists and other rebel groups.
“We have considered all the possible threats in the security preparations including the recent atrocities by suspected rebel groups and even the threat of terrorists, he said.
Saculles also called on the community to be vigilant and report to authorities unusual or suspicious activities or incidents that they observe around.
Domogan also appealed to the public particularly the netizens to stop posting unverified and fake news tagging the city as an unsafe place. He said that social media users should be responsible enough to post in their accounts that Baguio City is safe and is not on red alert status as reported by irresponsible social media users.
Thousands of tourists are expected to flock to the city for the much awaited highlights of the Panangbenga which is Banguoi’s biggest crowd drawer for 22 year now. /JDP/RMC & PIA-CAR- UC Interns#
