Security of rich Tsinoys assured
To ensure the safety of affluent members of the Filipino-Chinese community here, some 300 cops from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) will be deployed at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand in today's highlight of the Chinese New Year celebration.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the police have already put in place security measures to protect the rich Chinese businessmen in the city during the festival. The barangay tanods coming from adjacent barangays of the place of the activity will act as multiplier force to the law enforcers. Uniformed and plainclothes cops will both be fielded.
The police will secure all the areas where the celebration is to be held. Affluent Filipino-Chinese businessmen and their families participate in the yearly Chinese New Year celebration initiated by the city government.
Treñas allays the fears of those Chinese businessmen who will join in the celebration. The police are ready to protect them as they are enjoying and watching the activity at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand, the mayor said.
There would be cultural presentations, grand parade and fireworks display as part of the Chinese New Year celebration in the city. Chinese traders who are keeping a low profile image and want their personality private are expected to witness the celebration.
The celebration would be held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand to accommodate more people. This will also give the law enforcers extra areas to keep watch unlike when the Chinese New Year activity is held at the Calle Real. The area is limited compared to the Freedom Grandstand. At the same time, the police will maintain peace and order in the place as there would be a food festival handled by the Iloilo Hotels Restaurant and Resorts Association (IHRRA).
Meanwhile, Treñas said the celebration is one way of showing gratitude to the members of the Filipino-Chinese community in the city having investments and engaging themselves in charity and volunteer groups.
Treñas said the Filipino-Chinese groups have donated number of school buildings for the city’s public schools and are very visible during disasters and calamities. They also have the volunteer fire brigade.
They are not only giving financial assistance during calamities and disasters but at the same time involved themselves in volunteer works, said Treñas.