Police to adjust security as IEC progresses

CEBU, Philippines - Authorities will make minor adjustments to the security system in place for the ongoing International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) in Cebu as it observes the number of attendees is growing steadily.

Senior Supt. Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office 7, said one area that needs to be enhanced is on supervision aspect.

“Security aspect kinahanglan ato pang i-enhance…labi na ang aspect sa supervision sa kapolisan, mora’g general kaayo ang supervision… upon instruction sa regional director, kinahanglan nga down the level. There should be an identified supervisor, an officer at that, kinahanglan naa gyuy close supervision, naa gyuy mo-follow-up up to the last minute,” Lawas said.

Adjustments will be put in place before the “heavy” activities this weekend as the IEC culminates.

Lawas said “the first day and the second day went smoothly” but it has been a challenge checking the identification cards of delegates because not everyone were given IDs as of yesterday because of the increase in the number of walk-in delegates.

“Nibul-og ang kadaghan sa registrants, even today we expect an increase of registrants. They are fielding more personnel sa production sa ID’s and registration,” Lawas said.

Lawas assured that the Regional Intelligence Fusion Center headed by the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency is validating intelligence reports from law enforcement intelligence units continuously.

Reports are analyzed carefully by security and intelligence experts. So far, no solid threat has been identified.  

“Regional Intelligence Fusion Center, walay natala, but we will continue to monitor labi na padulong na ta bug-at nga activities sa IEC,” Lawas added. — (FREEMAN)