The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) guaranteed the safety of thousands of visitors of two overlapping major events scheduled for March.

The Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVIRAA) Meet will be held from March 9 to 17 and the Regional Junior/Senior/Cadet Encampment of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) from the entire Visayas will be from March 10 to 14.

Lt. Stephen Polinar, NOPPO spokesperson, told the Philippine News Agency that on top of the security measures relative to the May 12 elections, there are enough officers to secure visitors at different venues and billeting places.

Polinar said an estimated 3,000 athletes, coaches and other delegation members are coming for the CVIRAA, while more than 1,000 participants are expected during the GSP event.

“The Police Regional Office 7, based in Cebu City, is ready to deploy additional personnel if the need arises, considering the security requirements these days,” he said.

While the sporting events of the CVIRAA will be held in Bayawan City, the athletic delegations will be spread out for billeting in nearby towns such as Sta. Catalina and Siaton.

The athletic delegations are from the provinces of Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor, and the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu of Cebu province.

The Girl Scout encampment, on the other hand, will be held at Camp Lily Gamo in Sibulan town.

Polinar said static and mobile checkpoints and other police operations relative to the election period and peace and order will continue unhampered despite additional security requirements for the two major events. (PNA)