Tight security for Cobra Ironman starting Aug. 7

CEBU, Philippines – Tight security for the 2016 Cobra Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship in Lapu-Lapu City will be implemented August 4 until August 7.

Senior Superintendent Rommel Cabagnot, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office director, told reporters that more than 500 security personnel from the Police Regional Office-7 Regional Police Safety Battalion, Cebu Province Police Office, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, as well as elements from the Bureau of Fire Protection, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Philippine National Police Maritime Unit will be deployed.

"Starting August 4, meron na kaming pre-deployment, skeletal (force). 'Pag sinabing skeletal may deployment sa airport, kung saan sila naka-billet na area," Cabagnot said.

Aside from LCPO personnel, barangay peacekeeping and safety officers and students would also be deployed as security force multipliers.

Cabagnot said full deployment of security personnel will happen on August 7.

"Kadlawon ang actual. Two hours before, tanan naa na sa kalsada. Nakalatag na atong security (personnel)," he said.

Aside from deploying security assets, the police would also set up public assistance desks in strategic areas of the triathlon route.

Mayor Paz Radaza also said about 50,000 students from different schools in the city,particularly those from the Lapu-Lapu City College, would serve as cheerers for the participants of the triathlon race.

Radaza said close to 3,000 from 43 countries will meet in the city for the event, which she said is bigger than the previous Cobra Ironman events.

"Since this is our fifth year (to host), dali nalang kaayo. We would like nga very colorful ug (very) enjoyable sa mga athletes. Sige ta ron og prepare sa area," she said.

Asked if there are any road repairs that may serve as obstructions, Radaza said there are but they are far away from the race rout and would not affect the whole event.

"We're trying to coordinate with DPWH nga kung mahimo masarhan,"she said. —/RHM (FREEMAN)