De Oro festival: Don’t bring backpacks, umbrellas or wear shades

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Security for the city’s annual fiesta has been raised and included a ban on backpacks, umbrellas and sunglasses.

Major Evan Viñas, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro police, said the ban on these items was part of security measures for three major events during the city fiesta. These also included jamming mobile phone signals.

The fiesta’s three main events were a street dance contest on Sunday (Aug. 25), a float parade on Tuesday (Aug. 27) and procession on Wednesday (Aug. 28).

Viñas said during these events, spectators had been advised not to bring backpacks, umbrellas or wear sunglasses. Use of drones would be allowed only with permit from the city government.

Police, he said, had been on full alert status for the city fiesta, “Higalagay Festival”, which celebrates the feast of St. Augustine, the city’s patron saint, on Aug. 28.

Leaves of absence for all policemen and officers were cancelled, except in emergency medical cases, from August to the first week of September.

Viñas, however, said police have not identified any terror threat or plot to disrupt the festival. Jigger V. Jerusalem /TSB