Tight security in Dagupan today
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE
TIGHT security measures have been adopted in preparation for the third and final Presidential Debate at Phinma-University of Pangasinan in Dagupan scheduled at 6 p.m. today.
Some 7,000 policemen, personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and government agencies involved in security have been deployed in the city to secure the Vice President Jejomar Binay, Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, Senators Grace Poe Llamanzares, and Miriam Santiago, and former Interior Sec. Mar Roxas.
P/Supt. Christopher Abrahano, chief of police of Dagupan City, said only 1,100 people will be allowed inside the debate hall at the quadrangle of Phinma-UPang and those who will be admitted will be subjected to strict security procedures. No one will be allowed to carry backpacks, food and water.
The police considers this debate as both a security and traffic nightmares as it can also put vehicles at standstill in major roads in the city for hours.
In addition to the security precautions, children as well as pregnant women will be barred from the venue as spectators. Only 20 journalists from more than 500 who sought accreditation will be allowed inside the hall.
The rest of the mediamen who obtained entry access will be limited to the media center.
Abrahano said the audience will have to enter campus through its gate on Nable Street that will be opened at 1:00 p.m. and closed at 3:00 p.m.
Arellano-Bani (from A. B. Fernandez Avenue junction to JdV Expressway) Extension will be closed from 12 noon to 10:00 p.m. and vehicles from the north going to downtown area are advised to take alternate routes.
Only pedestrian traffic will be allowed and can only be accessed by ambulances bringing patients to the Region 1 Medical Center, and convoys of candidates and other VIPs who will enter U-Pang through the Arellano gate.
Nable Street up to Sitio Guibang in Barangay Pantal will be closed during the debate but opened for ambulances rushing patients to the Medical City (formerly Pangasinan Medical Center). (Leonardo Micua)
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