50T expected in Duterte’s thanksgiving party tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Heightened security measures will be implemented in today's thanksgiving party of incoming president Rodrigo Duterte as organizers expected at least 50,000 supporters to join the celebration at the South Road Properties.

 Traffic authorities also prepared contingency plans because of the expected traffic buildup in the areas near SRP as well as the Plaza Indepen-dencia where a "Halad Pasalamat" will kick off the event at 9 a.m. 

Senior Superintendent Rey Lyndon Lawas, deputy regional director for operations of Police Regional Office-7, said that the local police force had been on full alert status since Thursday.

"Our security plan for SRP has been tightened since it's an open area," Lawas said.

Duterte is expected at the party venue between 10 p.m. to 12 midnight. The thanksgiving celebration, however, will start at 9 a.m. at the Plaza Independencia with various government agencies and civic organizations providing services for free.

Among the services expected today include legal consultation and medical and dental. These will be available until 2 p.m. The concert venue at the SRP will be opened starting at 4 p.m.

Lawas has advised the supporters joining the party to avoid bringing valuables like jewelry.

"If possible dili magda og bags para madali. Wala mi mag-ingon nga nagduda mi pero it's part of the security procedure," Lawas said.

Participants to the party are also advised to wear light clothing.

Doris Mongaya, Visayas media coordinator of Duterte Campaign Team and member of the "One Love, One Nation" Cebu organizing team, said the party is open to all but the public is discouraged from bringing backpacks for security.

"Mao nay advised from the Presidential Security Group. Kay kung dagko man gud nga backpacks ang dad-on madugay og inspection. Much better small bags lang gyud ilang dad-on," Mongaya said.

Bringing of placards, tarpaulins and streamers are not allowed as these may cause obstruction from the stage. Supporters are also not allowed to bring bottled water inside the venue. There will be free water stations inside the venue.

Traffic plan

Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) Operations Division chief Jonathan Tumulak said they have prepared contingency road plan for worst scenario.

Around 20 traffic personnel will be deployed near Plaza Independencia to manage the traffic in the area where congestion is expected. He said roads near the Plaza Independencia will remain open until closure is necessary depending on their assessment of the situation.

"If vehicular traffic is manageable, no roads will be closed and all vehicles will be allowed to traverse the streets including those near the venue. But we will try our best that no roads will be closed," he said.

He said the CCTO has asked the cooperation of the contractors of ongoing road projects near the venue to temporarily stop the work.

Osmeña not invited

Incoming Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña said he will not be joining today's party because he was not invited.

Osmeña, however, said he still keeps his good relationship with the incoming president.

"Okay lang, I still like him (Duterte)," he said. — Mylen P. Manto, May B. Miasco, Jean Marvette A. Demecillo, Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon and Shae Rondina  (FREEMAN)