Cops, military deployed for Thai princess’ visit

CEBU, Philippines - More than 50 policemen and several military personnel were in Oslob, Cebu yesterday to secure a royal princess.

Thailand’s Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana was in Oslob yesterday to swim with the town’s famous whale sharks.

About 54 police officers from Oslob Police Station, neighboring police stations, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), Tourist Police, Provincial Police Safety Company (PPSC), and Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) were deployed in the area for security.

Aside from the police, the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard also augmented the town’s security.

Police Officer 2 Noel Mamale of Oslob Police Station said that the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) had already informed them a week ago to secure the town, including Sumilon Island.

He said they were told that Nariratana, daughter of King Vajiralongkorn and Sujarinee Vivacharawongse, will do whale shark watching.

Nariratana, together with her security escorts, arrived in Oslob Friday afternoon and spent the night at Sumilon Island.

At 7:40 a.m. yesterday, Nariratana enjoyed watching and swimming with the whale sharks in the seawaters of Barangay Tan-awan, Oslob for 30 minutes.

Nariratana swam again at 10:30 a.m.

Mamale said Nariratana, who visited Oslob for the first time, left the place yesterday.

“Murag whale watching ra man iyang tuyo,” he said, adding the visit of Nariratana was very peaceful.

Early this year, Ms. Universe candidates also visited Oslob, Cebu to do whale watching. —/GAN (FREEMAN)