CEBU CITY – The police will secure a total of 33 venues for the Palarong Pambansa in four cities from July 9 to 15, 2024.
Cebu City police chief Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog said 30 of these venues will be in Cebu City, while three others are in the cities of Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue, and Talisay.
Police officers will likewise secure about 20 billeting areas where the athletes from different regions will stay.
Police said around 12,000 athletes will participate in the Palarong Pambansa, and over 8,000 officials, including personnel from the Department of Education, will manage all the sporting events.
Dalogdog said they are still waiting for additional policemen from Cebu province, Negros Oriental, and Bohol.
At present, there are around 690 police officers who are set to secure the Palaro.
The military has also pledged to send personnel and force multipliers.
Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas and the overall security commander, promised to send personnel from the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 7.
On June 28, 2024, the Cebu City Police Office will hold a send-off ceremony at the South Road Properties for police officers who will secure the Palaro.
The opening ceremony will be held on July 9 at the Cebu City Sports Center and will feature a parade from Fuente Osmeña.
Dalogdog assured that they would implement strict security measures during the Palarong Pambansa events.
He said additional policemen will patrol the streets 24 hours a day.
Meanwhile, Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia on Monday inspected some of the billeting quarters that were designated for the Palaro participants.
“I just want to show the media how far we have gone in terms of preparations for the billeting areas, which are essentially our public schools here in the city of Cebu,” Garcia said.