Tragic Pasay concert casts shadow on Digong party

THE NUMBER of people who would gather at Crocodile Park in Davao City for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s thanksgiving party today could be gleaned from attendance during the last campaign rally held for Duterte in the same venue shortly before the May 9 elections. The gathering hoped to break the world record for most people singing a national anthem. BARRY OHAYLAN/CONTRIBUTOR

DAVAO CITY—The tragedy that befell a music concert in Pasay City in Metro Manila is casting a long shadow on the thanksgiving party being prepared here for supporters of President-elect Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte.

Among the items that would be banned in the party, to be held at Crocodile Park and expected to be attended by at least 200,000 people, are inhalers and other nasal decongestants. These are some of the items found in the venue of the Close Up rave party on mall grounds in Pasay City, where five partygoers were found dead with signs of drug overdose.

Chief Insp. Milgrace Driz, spokesperson of the city police, said the reason for the ban on inhalers was their use as stimulants by users of the illegal drug ecstacy.

“It’s a known fact that inhalers are being used as stimulant for ecstasy and other party drugs,” Driz said.

She said inhalers would be confiscated on the spot together with other items that were banned from the thanksgiving party venue—drugs, alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, canned drinks, canisters, bladed weapons and sharp objects.

Those going to the party would also be barred from carrying backpacks and bags that could conceal illegal items.

Driz said, however, that individuals found carrying inhalers would not be barred from getting inside the venue of the party, dubbed  “DU31: One Love, One Nation Thanksgiving Party.”

“It’s a preventive measure,” said Driz. “It’s actually not illegal to use nasal inhalers.”

“But in parties, it should not be allowed in,” she added.

Organizers of the June 4 party said they expected at least 100,000 people, mainly youth, to show up at the Crocodile Park in Barangay Maa.

Driz said security would be tight and there would be only one entrance to the venue to allow police to conduct thorough screening procedures.

At least 2,000 policemen in uniforms would be inside the venue, she said.

Policemen would be backed by soldiers and volunteer watchmen from different villages.

Col. Casiano Monilla, deputy commander of the Army’s 10th Infantry  Division, said the military’s role in the party would be to provide security outside the venue.

The city’s Central 911, an emergency first aid and rescue setup, would be on standby.

Sonny Dizon, whose family owns and operates Crocodile Park, said admission was free.

Among the artists expected to perform are local musician Popong Landero of the Musicians and Artists for Duterte  and other performers from Manila and other areas. Allan Nawal, Inquirer Mindanao