CCPO seeks more cops for Palaro

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has sought the augmentation of its personnel to help secure the delegations of the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, which Cebu City is hosting.

While the Palaro games are scheduled from July 9 to 17, Cebu City Sports Commission Chairman John Pages earlier said the delegations would arrive starting on July 6 and there would already be activities that day as well as on July 7 and 8.

CCPO Director Ireneo Dalogdog said they have no specific number of needed personnel yet because it would depend on the total number of participants coming.

“Depende lang na (sa pila ang participants). Naa pa may pre-coordination meeting nga pagahimoon,” he said during an online interview with the Cebu City Government’s RMN Sugboanon Channel.

He said he is already prepared to make the request from other police offices across the region.

Majority of the police personnel that will be assigned for the Palaro will be deployed at the billeting areas and at the playing venues, just like during the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet that concluded last May 9.

John Pages, Cebu City Sports Commission chairman, had announced that the game venues used during the CVIRAA would also be the venues for the Palaro games.

Dalogdog said they would do some fine-tuning of the security preparations they made during the CVIRAA, together with the Palaro organizers.

A total of 12,866 athletes, coaches, and staff support personnel joined the CViRAA meet and more are expected in the Palaro since all regions of the country will be represented.

“We expect nga ang niapil sa CVIRAA, modaghan pa na siya ig-abot sa Palaro,” Dalogdog said.

During the CVIRAA Meet, CCPO secured the athletes in and out of their billeting areas and playing venues.

Designated individuals, including school officials, coaches, parents, and guardians, also accompanied athletes whenever they went out.

Dalogdog said that aside from billeting areas, his personnel were also deployed at the sports venues.

He said no reports on major crimes had been noted during the CVIRAA and he hopes for the same during the Palaro.

He urged his personnel not to be complacent and for the people to report to the local police if there are suspicious personalities, especially new faces, in their neighborhood.

“Maningkamot ta nga mahimong hapsay ug malinawon (ang Palaro). Ang importante nga magtinabangay ta, dili ra ang atong kapulisan, mag-cooperate sad atong komunidad ug atong partner agencies sa gobiyerno,” Dalogdog said.(CEBU NEWS)