Police tighten security, raise alert for major surfing events

LOCAL FAVORITE Edito “Piso” Alcala, 2011 Siargao surfing champion, shows off his skills during the semifinal round of the 20th Siargao National Surfing Cup. —ERWIN MASCARIÑAS

GENERAL LUNA, SIARGAO ISLAND—Authorities tightened security and raised the security alert status here as throngs of surfers and tourists arrived for back-to-back surfing events—the 20th Siargao National Surfing Cup and the World Surfing League’s (WSL) 24th Siargao International Surfing Cup.

The first opened on Sept. 24 and ended on Sept. 27.

The WSL event opened on Sept. 28 and will end on Oct. 4.

No threat, but . . .

At least 400 members of the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine Maritime Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines have been sent to General Luna town in Siargao.

Supt. Rudy Elandag, deputy Surigao del Norte police chief for operations, said although there was no threat to the island, police were not taking chances.

“Our intelligence report has not reported any threat to Siargao Island,” said Elandag, ground commander for the security preparations.

He said police deployment would be adjusted based on need.

“We hope to secure the event,” he said.

Increased tourism

1Lt. Ken Enciso, civil military operations officer of the 30th Infantry Battalion, also said the military also sent more troops to Siargao.

The Caraga regional tourism office counted at least 15,000 tourists on Siargao Island in 2017, a 25-percent increase from the number of tourists who visited the area in 2016.

During the final round of the competition, two of Siargao’s top surfers went head-to-head in a duel described as epic.

John Mark Tokong, ranked fourth in the Philippine Surfing Championship Tour (PSCT), was crowned overall surfing champion with 19.20 points against PSCT No. 2 Edito “Piso” Alcala, who had 17.60 points.

Tokong, 21 and native of Siargao, said “a lot of waves” helped competitors perform beyond expectations.

Evolution of surfing

Tokong started surfing when he was just 6 years old.

He said surfing started just as a “recreational sport” in Siargao but has since “evolved” into a professional sport that brought honors to the Philippines.

This year’s competition offered a total prize of P323,000 in two categories.