Davao City police chief Senior Supt Vicente Danao Jr. said yesterday that incoming President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s “One Love, One Nation” thanksgiving party last Saturday was relatively peaceful.
However, it had fewer attendees than last May’s world record attempt for the simultaneous singing of the national anthem, Danao said.
Security was tight as attendees were asked to line up in four layers of security checks starting at the entrance of the park where the concert was held.
The security checks include frisking, confiscation of ball pens, and sharp objects. Bags and umbrellas were also confiscated.
At the end of the program, several bags were reported missing as there was no clear system on their retrieval. Police said that the items were prohibited days before the event.
A heavy downpour drenched participants but their enthusiasm did not wane.
Meanwhile, Danao attributed the stable peace and order of the city to overwhelming support from the city government.
In an interview at the grounds of the park Saturday, Danao said the city has given close to P1 billion in equipment and vehicles to the DCPO in his term alone.
“Every year we receive about P500 million worth of equipment,” Danao said. “When you receive that much help from the government, all you need to do is serve.”
Danao was patrolling the park along with the city’s roving bicycle patrol unit last Saturday. (Yas D. Ocampo)
