Comelec chair submits to tight security at UP

CEBU, Philippines - A very tight security was implemented yesterday at the University of the Philippines Cebu, where the second leg of the Presidential Debates was held, that even chairman Andres Bautista of the Commission on Elections was not spared.

Bautista had to go through the body frisking at the entrance like everyone else going inside the venue. Security personnel held him for few minutes at the entrance to undergo the security check because he was not wearing identification card.

The strict security paid off with no single untoward incident recorded at the duration of the debate.

Despite the presence of the supporters of various political camps, Cebu City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Benjamin Santos said the debate ended peacefully.

He said the city police and the augmentation personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines were able to maintain peace and order in the perimeter of UP Cebu.

Santos said security inside UP was under the direct supervision of the school administration.

Political supporters of the candidates were blocked by the members of the Civil Disturbance Management team of Police Regional Office- 7 and AFP. After the debate, all candidates as well as their supporters were able to leave the area safely.

Security personnel inside the debate venue were alarmed yesterday after a black bag was abandoned at the media center. Chief Inspector Joesan Parallog, of the Explosive and Ordnance Disposal unit, said the bag was found to contain two video batteries.

“Negative naman. But, we already alerted our personnel,” he said.

The EOD unit immediately checked on the bag after a bomb sniffing dog sat on it. /FPL (FREEMAN)