Security tightened in Iligan for business meet, city feast

ILIGAN CITY—Authorities are tightening security in the city in the run-up to a gathering of Mindanao business leaders and a festival that was expected to draw crowds.

Lt. Col. Edward Jasper Obar, head of the Army’s 51st Infantry Battalion, said the expected surge in the number of people converging in the city for both the business conference and the feast of the city’s patron saint required additional measures to prevent crime and attacks from lawless groups.

Saying the “threat is already there”, Obar said increased vigilance of law enforcers was likely to thwart any plan to disrupt the festivities or compromise security at the business gathering.

A remote part of a village in the city, Rogongan, had been the site of a clash between Army soldiers and communist rebels.

Business leaders and top government officials are expected to meet here from Sept. 12—14 for the 28th Mindanao Business Conference.

Last week, the local government also launched the month-long celebration of Diyandi Festival that peaks on Sept. 29, feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, the city’s patron.

Obar said two Army battalions are being reinforced by at least 100 civilian militiamen.

Maj. Jovanie Cabusas, spokesperson of the local police, said 150 additional policemen were being deployed to the city./tsb