Cops assure safety of regional sports meet

CALBAYOG CITY, Samar, Feb. 3 -- At least 400 policemen were deployed in this city to secure more than 8,000 participants in the Eastern Visayas Regional Athletic Association (EVRAA) Meet on February 4 to 10.

City Police officer-in-charge Chief Supt. Jose Junal Omala said Friday more than 300 policemen came from different cities and towns in the region.

The number is on top of the military, Coast Guard and other security agencies that have sent personnel to help secure the regional sports event.

“The uniformed men have been assigned to different billeting schools, playing venues, and other places in the city’s commercial district,” Omala said.

The police would strictly implement security policies, particularly in billeting venues to make sure that no unauthorized person would enter the premises.

Some policemen will also conduct patrol and man checkpoints in different parts of the city.

“Police visibility is very important and that is what we are doing. We want to let the people feel our presence and assure their security,” Omala added.

For the past months, the city had been haunted by a series of killings allegedly perpetrated by members of private armed groups.

However, the PNP assured the safety of athletes, coaches, education officials, and guests who are in the city for the region’s biggest event.

“What we are just asking is the cooperation of everyone. Calbayog City in general is peaceful,” the police official told reporters.

This year’s sports meet carries the theme, “Sports, Culture, and Environment: Bridging the Gap, Shaping the Future”. The last time Calbayog hosted the regional sports event was in 2011.

Calbayog is a first-class city in Samar province, with a population of 183,851 in 157 villages. It is the third largest city in terms of land and water areas in the Philippines. (JSA/PNA)