Police start 'summer' security preparations

CEBU, Philippines - In anticipation of the influx of visitors in the region during the summer vacation, the Police Regional Office-7 has intensified its security measures to ensure the safety of tourists.

Chief Supt. Jaime Calungsod, chief of the Directorate for Integrated Police Office in Central Visayas, started yesterday a random inspection of the various establishments to check its security measures.

Calungsod’s team conducted a counter-security operation to check how effective the security providers are. In yesterday’s exercise DIPO personnel purposely hid bomb materials at a hotel to test the ability of the security personnel, especially the K-9 unit, to discover it.

Calungsod said the K-9 unit of the hotel passed the test as they were able to locate the bomb materials hidden in a plant box.

Sr. Supt. Ariel Arcinas, DIPO-7 intelligence chief, said that the purpose of the exercise is to ensure that security personnel in vital establishments are efficient and capable.

A similar exercise will also be conducted in the establishments in Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

According to the police, they are expecting a lot of tourists coming during the summer vacation.

They assured the people that Cebu and the entire region is safe to visit during summer. Cebu City Intelligence Branch Chief Romeo Santander said they will also implement the Oplan Summer Vacation to prevent all forms of criminalities.

The operation will include intensified police visibility at the terminals, piers and other areas where people converge such as malls, parks, and night clubs. — (FREEMAN)