Davao City police start cordoning off San Pedro Square for Sara inauguration

With only a few days left before the inauguration of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte as the Philippines' new Vice President on June 19, the city's policemen have started installing railings at San Pedro Square, where the ceremony will take place.

According to Marisol Abdurahman’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, San Pedro Square will be closed to the public on June 18 while policemen will be deployed as early as 3 p.m. on June 17 to ensure tight security measures.

Police Colonel Alberto Lupaz, Director of Davao City Police, said that Duterte wanted the public to see her take her oath of duty.

“Yung San Pedro Square, 360 degrees may mga naka-place na LED TVs para sa mga malalayo. She is visible in the four corners ng kalsada,” Lupaz said.

(For those who are far away, LED TVs have been placed around the San Pedro square in 360 degrees. She will be visible from all four sides of the road.)

Police Major General Valeriano de Leon, PNP Director for Operations, earlier said the gun ban in Davao Region will be in effect from June 16 to 21 for Duterte's inaugural ceremony.

De Leon noted that at least 3,700 policemen will be tapped to secure Duterte's oath-taking.

Meanwhile, authorities said there were no reported violators of the gun ban as of posting time. However, they said they would be on heightened alert due to bomb threats in nearby areas. — Mel Matthew Doctor/BM, GMA News