700 security men deployed for ‘Sarbay’ beach party
GLAN, SARANGANI — Over 700 security personnel have been deployed to protect thousands of merrymakers attending the Sarangani Bay (SarBay) festival here, which is touted as the “country’s biggest beach party,” officials said on Friday.
Organizers were expecting more than 150,000 revelers to flock to Barangay Gumasa’s white sand beaches, called the “Boracay of Mindanao,” for this year’s SarBay fest themed “Neon Summer.”
The festival opened on Thursday but most tourists were expected to troop beginning Friday afternoon and Saturday, and stay overnight.
Gov. Steve Solon said the security contingent deployed this time was larger than the 500 personnel dispatched last year.
“We want to ensure the event is smooth and orderly and to show to the whole Philippines that in Mindanao we can celebrate securely and properly in different conditions,” he said in a statement.
This year is the 12th edition of the SarBay fest, which started in 2006 under former Gov. Miguel Rene Dominguez. In 2017, the provincial government canceled the festival after martial law was declared in Mindanao due to the Marawi siege.
Solon said that 10 bomb- and drug-sniffing dogs were used to help secure the event this year.
Orderly celebration
Police Lt. Col. Jose Teody Condesa, Sarangani police spokesperson, said they strengthened the festival’s security this year to ensure a peaceful and orderly celebration.
Solon said the Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed two vessels to augment the Philippine Coast Guard in securing the waters against intruding or unregistered ships during the festival.
Top rock bands and deejays were tapped to entertain the party crowd, which was expected to peak on Saturday, the last day of the festival.
Sporting events lined up for the festival include the 15-km Swim Across the Bay relay, SarBay Strongman (weight lifting), beach volleyball and football, skim boarding, frisbee and jet ski race.
Organizers noted that Glan has become the tourism capital of Sarangani, thanks to the white sand beaches in Gumasa.
