2,000 personnel to secure Uniteam rally

A composite team of around 2,000 personnel will be deployed by the Cebu City government for the Uniteam Festival Rally at the South Road Properties this afternoon.

A massive crowd is anticipated because several celebrities and bands from Manila supporting presidential aspirant Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. and his runningmate, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, are expected to perform.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said they are expecting a crowd bigger than the “Arat na Cebu” concert held at the Cebu City Sports Center last month. Today’s performers include the tireless Pinoy legendary rapper, Andrew E., DJ Loonyo, Michael Pangilinan, Daryl Ong, Bugoy Drilon, Katrina Velarde, Dea Formilleza, Mark Herras, J Roa, Rodjun Cruz, Bayani Agbayani, Sexbomb Newgen Girls, Dukes Band, ILT Band, The Friday’s Band, Aegis, Bandang Lapis, Magnus Haven, Hale, Plethora, Shamrock and the Silent Sanctuary.

Rama met with all the concerned officials yesterday to ensure an orderly and safe conduct of the rally. The mayor asked the Cebu City Police Office and the Bureau of Fire Protection to help in the crowd management.

At least 700 policemen will be deployed as security personnel, 400 disaster and medical personnel, 200 traffic personnel, and 60 bike patrollers. Personnel from the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE) Team and Department of Public Services will also help, according to Atty. Gerardo Carillo, head of the city disaster management council.

Carillo said the gate will open at 10 am although the concert will start at 1 pm yet. Everyone, with or without tickets, is welcome to attend the rally. Uniteam supporters are advised to bring umbrellas and water. They are also discouraged from bringing pointed objects and big bags.

The city government has set up a “temporary hospital” at the Noah Complex also at the SRP in case of a medical emergency.

Rama is inviting all their supporters and the rest of the Cebuanos to show up and support them and the Uniteam. He, however, reminded those who will be joining the rally to continue to observe the health protocols.

“Dako kining kasaulugan…usa ka kalihukan nga magpakita sa atong suporta labi na gayud sa presensya ni BBM (Bongbong Marcos) ug Sara Duterte sa atong Uniteam Rally… barangayan, bayanihan, boluntarismo… gihangyo ko ang tanan sa pagsuporta niining maong kalihukan basta magpabilin gihapon kitang magobserbar sa minimum health protocols,” said Rama.

Meanwhile, Lt. Colonel Maria Theresa Macatangay, information officer of CCPO, said they will ensure that the streets are properly managed to avoid traffic congestion.

"We have to make certain that we will be able to manage the streets, we were told that it will be held in an open area, so that is one thing that we really have to look into, because there will be no perimeters or borders that will be installed," said Macatangay.

She added, they will also be monitoring to ensure that no individuals will be caught in any road accident during the rally.

Aside from their deployment, Macatangay said they were informed that organizers will also deploy their security Marshalls.

"Hopefully there will be a coordinated flow of communication between the organizers and law enforcers on the ground," said Macatangay.—Iris