TAGUM, DAVAO DEL NORTE (CNN Philippines) — Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte assured the safety of the expected 15,000 athletes and visitors all over the country that will be attending the Palarong Pambansa here in Tagum City from May 3 to 9.
Expecting only low level threats during the Palarong Pambansa, Duterte stressed that maximum protective security measures will still be applied.
“The reaction of government is always the same be it 1 or 10 ang security threat. I expect nothing but I am prepared for everything. That is the role that we are playing today. I do not expect bombings but we are prepared for it,” said the Regional Peace and Order Council chairman.
With heightened security, the mayor is appealing to the public for a little patience and understanding if they get pulled over at the checkpoints in and around Tagum City since this is part of the security measures that will be implemented to ensure the public’s safety.
According to Duterte, no one will be exempted from the checkpoints, and if there will be any complaints arising from the strict implementation of the checkpoints, the person will be held liable for it.
The security will be handled by the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and additional personnel from the barangays will also be deployed.
Davao del Norte Governor Rodolfo del Rosario, meanwhile, thanked Duterte for personally supervising the security plan for the Palaro saying that the province will feel safe with Duterte on top of the security preparations.
In January, the Department of Education announced that Tagum City was chosen to host this year’s games, beating five other bidders namely, Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Koronadal City, Lanao del Norte and Caraga region.
The 2015 Palarong Pambansa, according to the DepEd, will be the first national games to be held under the Palarong Pambansa Law (RA 10588), signed last year.
