Security alert on for Kadayawan

DAVAO CITY — At least 8,000 policemen, soldiers, civilian volunteers and militiamen are beefing up security in this city when it stages the annual Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival next week.

Dubbed as the "festival of festivals," the Kadawayan, slated from Aug. 17 to 24, is expected to draw thousands of tourists and other merrymakers who will take part in various activities such as street dancing, floral float parade and trade fairs and exhibits.

The festival’s security has been a major concern of the city government following the powerful bomb explosions here last March 4 and April 2 that left 39 people dead and over 200 others injured.

"The festival would go on. We have tapped all the necessary sectors to make sure that no untoward incidents will happen," Mayor Rodrigo Duterte said.

Spearheading the security preparations are the city police and the military-led Task Force Davao.

Army Col. Gaudencio Pangilinan, task force commander, said militiamen, Army reservists and members of the Reserved Officers Training Corps (ROTC) and emergency response organizations have been tapped to secure the venues of the different Kadayawan activities.

Senior Superintendent Conrado Laza, city police chief, said the police and Task Force Davao have put up checkpoints, particularly in the city’s entry and exit points.

Laza said security has also been beefed up in the Davao International Airport, seaports, hospitals, schools, marketplaces and commercial centers.