Cops bracing for Duterte visit,  Kapa prayer rally in GenSan

MANILA, Philippines – The Soccsksargen regional police force has beefed up security measures for President Rodrigo Duterte scheduled visit on Thursday and a prayer rally scheduled by the Kapa-Community Ministry International Inc. in General Santos City.

Duterte earlier ordered a thorough investigation and drastic action against the group’s alleged investment irregularities.

READ: Duterte wants Kapa, other investment scams probed, shut down

In a press statement Thursday, the Soccsksargen police said both events “project risks to the safety of the President as well as the innocent civilians alike considering the volume of the people gathering in the city.”

Duterte is in General Santos City to lead the distribution of land ownership certificates to agrarian reform program beneficiaries in a bid to curb insurgency in the region.

His visit coincides with the two-day prayer rally of thousands of members of Kapa, which the President had earlier called out for allegedly operating an investment scam.

“Albeit Kapa members earlier pronounced that they will only proceed peacefully with the prayer rally, there is a high probability that lawless groups might take advantage of this and advance with felonious deeds,” the Soccsksargen police said.

Even if both events will only take place in General Santos, the Soccsksargen police said it has enjoined all regional personnel to be on standby to respond to any untoward incidents.

Other public safety and law enforcement agencies and force multipliers were likewise ordered to coordinate with the Soccsksargen police.  (Editor: Gilbert S. Gaviola)

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