1,661 cops, force multipliers deployed for Panagbenga highlights

Some none thousand six hundred sixty one law enforcers and force multipliers will be deployed to manage the traffic, act as crowd control and ensure law and order during the conduct of the highlights of the 28th edition of the Panagbenga, the grand street dance and the grand floral parade, on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.

Police Col. Francisco Bulwayan, Jr., City Director of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), said that the local police force and the force multipliers are ready to appropriate manage and maintain law and order during the conduct of the twin Panagbenga highlights for the benefit of residents and tourists.

Of the said number, 811 are personnel of the different BCPO stations, 226 were augmentation from the Police Regional office (PRO) in the Cordillera, 461 are interns from the different higher education institutions in the city, 120 are volunteers from government offices and civic organizations and 42 are traffic aides from the City Engineering Office – Traffic and Transportation Management Division (CEO-TTMD).

Further, some 120 plain clothes policemen will also be deployed in various areas around the city as part of the strategy to deter the commission of crimes against persons and properties that may be committed by unscrupulous individuals wanting to take advantage of the festive mood to pursue their evil motives.

The BCPO official claimed that the personnel that will be pulled out from the different stations and offices will serve as part of the crowd control while the augmentation from the PRO-COR will temporarily discharge the duties of those policemen who were pulled out from their posts.

According to him, the deployed policemen and force multipliers will be equipped with the necessary radio communication equipment that is tuned in to the designated BCPO frequency so that developments in their respective areas of assignment could be monitored so that proper actions will be taken by the concerned authorities once there is a need to act on issues and concerns that will transpire within the parade route or in any part of the city during the conduct of the Panagbenga highlights.

The police officer stipulated that the law enforcers and the force multipliers will be deployed along the parade route at the earliest possible time to ensure law and order in the said area, especially when people flock to their desired places for a better vantage point of the street dance and floral parade.

He advised residents and tourists to cooperate with the traffic schemes and regulations that will be temporarily enforced during the conduct of the Panagbenga highlights to avoid unnecessary altercations that will transpire between them and the law enforcers and volunteers so that they will enjoy watching the twin parades.

The grand street dance parade where six elementary and seven festival dance contingents will be joining will be held on Saturday, February 24, 2024 while the grand floral parade that will feature 34 beautifully decorated and landscaped floats is scheduled on Sunday, February 25, 2024. – Dexter A. See