MANILA, Philippines – After securing the Traslacion for the Feast of the Black Nazarene, the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO) is shifting security efforts to candidates and officials of the Miss Universe pageant.
NCRPO spokesman Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas said proper coordination is now being done to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the pageant.
“From the Traslacion, we are now shifting to securing Miss U,” Molitas said during a press briefing yesterday in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed that one police escort would be provided for every four candidates during the duration of the stay of the international beauty queens in the country.
The Miss Universe coronation night will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Jan. 30.
Some 247 foreigners – including the candidates, organizers and the board of judges in the beauty pageant – are expected to arrive, said Senior Superintendent Emmanuel Licup, commander of the Task Force Operation Miss Universe.
Licup said that there is no direct threat to the safety of the contestants, judges and other participants of the pageant.
He said security templates adopted during past international events like the visit of Pope Francis in January 2015 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in November last year would be implemented.
“All eyes will be on the Philippines, rightfully we will take this opportunity to showcase the country as a tourist destination. Not only that, the peace and order situation of the country will be highlighted,” he said.
Licup admitted that terrorist groups will always view international events such as Miss Universe as a good opportunity to carry out terror activity, so the PNP and other government agencies must prepare well.
He said about 1,300 policemen will serve as close-in and convoy security, as well as security in all the venues of the contest, including several areas in Metro Manila and places like Vigan, Baguio City, Boracay, Batangas, Davao and Cebu where the swimsuit competition is scheduled to be held.
Ilocos Sur police director Senior Superintendent Rey de Peralta said security arrangements are in place for the Miss Universe contestants who are set to visit Vigan City and Baguio City.
At least 1,000 policemen will be deployed when 20 Miss Universe aspirants arrive in Vigan City on Jan. 15 and Baguio City on Jan. 18, said De Peralta.
“Actually, former Ilocos Sur governor Luis Chavit Singson (pageant organizer) requested us to prepare a bigger security to ensure the safety of the Miss Universe candidates that will happen for the first time in the province,” De Peralta said.
Earlier, Ilocos Sur police spokesman Chief Insp. William Nerona said they requested augmentation and support from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Aviation Security Command and other law enforcement agencies to help secure the candidates.
The candidates are expected to arrive in Vigan and visit the world-famous cobblestoned Calle Crisologo, the main heritage site of the city.
In Baguio, 33 contestants will join a parade from upper Session Road to the Baguio Country Club. – With Artemio Dumlao