Security tightened for GMA’s Butuan visit

BUTUAN CITY — The police and the military have tightened security here for tomorrow’s visit of President Arroyo.

After taking her oath in Cebu City today, the President will fly here tomorrow for her first official visit to the regions.

"Security in the city (has been) tightened," said Lt. Col. Pendatun Guto, spokesman of the Army’s 401st Infantry Brigade.

Chief Superintendent Alberto Rama, Caraga police director, told police officials during the flag-raising ceremony last Monday at Camp Rafael Rodriguez that areas frequently visited by New People’s Army (NPA) rebels should be monitored.

Police and military officials have requested Mrs. Arroyo to visit their camps but Jose Aquino, deputy presidential assistant on Caraga concerns, said the President cannot do so because of her hectic schedule.

The region’s 70 municipal mayors and vice mayors, three city mayors and vice mayors and four provincial governors, along with regional directors of national government agencies and religious and socio-civic leaders, were invited to a two-hour meeting with Mrs. Arroyo at the Urios College gymnasium.

Malacañang protocol officials have advised government officials to wear Filipiniana attire for the event which they said would be simple and austere.

Aquino told The STAR that Mrs. Arroyo’s visit to the Caraga region is historical because it will be her first official visit to the regions after formally assuming the top post of the country.

He said it may be Mrs. Arroyo’s way of thanking her supporters who gave her an overwhelming lead over her nearest rival, actor Fernando Poe Jr., in the recent elections.

Contrary to earlier reports that a Cabinet meeting will be held here, Aquino said the President will only deliver a post-inauguration message to the nation.