Surf’s up in Siargao

CAMP RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – Some of the world’s best surfers, along with thousands of guests and local and foreign tourists will flock to Siargao Island next week for the 23rd Siargao International Surfing Cup.

This year’s international surfing competition in Siargao’s “Cloud 9” where a US$75,000 cash prize is at stake, has been upgraded to a world International Qualifying Series QS3,000, General Luna Mayor Atty. Jaime P. Rusillon told the Manila Bulletin.

“Cloud 9” is considered the 8th top surfing site in the world.

“We are expecting the best surfers to register and we are expecting more big names from the international surfing circuit,” said Rusillon, who spearheaded the preparations for the event along with the officials of the provincial government of Surigao del Norte and Department of Tourism.

The Northeastern Mindanao regional police force said appropriate security measures have been finalized.

“We are doubling all security efforts. In fact, reserve forces are on standby and ready to mobilize to ensure zero crime incidents during the event,” regional police director Chief Supt. Rolando B. Felix told the Manila Bulletin on Thursday.

Some 163 police officers, and various units from the Philippine Army and Philippine Coast Guard have already been sent to the competition area to ensure the security of competitors, guests and tourists, Felix said.

“The PNP Caraga, with the active collaboration of Task Force Siargao, organizers and other concerned agencies are doing their best to make this major event safe and success-