Widodo arriving

LOCAL authorities are in the heat of preparations for the arrival of Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the city for the launching of the Davao-General Santos-Bitung Roll-on Roll-off (Roro) shipping route on Sunday, April 30 at Kudos Port in Sasa, Davao City.

Widodo is the second head of the state to visit the city. Thus, with the upcoming visit, local authorities here are now beefing up their security measures in close coordination with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) who is the lead agency to

secure the visit of Widodo to ensure his safety and security.

According to Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom) Public Information Officer (PIO) Major Ezra Balagtey in yesterday’s AFP-PNP press forum at Davao City Police Office (DCPO) conference room, they will give their full support to the PSG especially in monitoring the land, naval and air security component through their Joint Task Force (JTF) Haribon.

“The Eastmincom has Joint Task Force Haribon that integrates all the capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) here in the area,” he said.

Meanwhile, DCPO Traffic Group Chief Superintendent Ernesto Castillo stressed that there would be no rerouting during the Indonesian’s head arrival, but quick to add that an intensified road clearing will be implemented to secure the smooth flow of traffic.

He added that there will be 95 traffic personnel to be deployed on Sunday made up of 65 traffic police and 30 manpower augmentations from the City Traffic and Transport Management Office (CTTMO).

A towing vehicle will be mobilized to clear the road and impound illegally parked vehicles in prohibited places.

Likewise, DCPO spokesperson Police Senior Inspector (PSI) Ma. Teresita Gaspan said that they will deploy all their forces and assign several police personnel during the arrival and inauguration along Sasa area.

There will also be random checkpoints within the city as well as full swing of security plan implementation in different areas to prevent untoward incidents during the state visit.

Last January, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Davao City and even joined President Rodrigo R. Duterte for breakfast in the president's home in a medium-class subdivision in Matina, Davao City.

The combined efforts of the law enforcement agency led to the successful visit of Japan’s top diplomat.