OVER 10,000 devotees gathered at the Sto. Niño Chapel on Shrine Hills, Matina, on Thursday, Jan. 15, to celebrate the 58th Anniversary of the Holy Infant Jesus of Prague.
To ensure the safety of the massive crowd, Police Station 3 (PS3) Talomo established a centralized command post and police assistance desks at key entry and exit points.
Under the direct supervision of station commander Maj Genesis P. Oriel, security forces enforced strict bag inspections at the main entrance to prevent the entry of prohibited materials.
A force of 269 personnel from various government agencies and volunteer groups was deployed to manage the festivities.
The security contingent included PS3 Talomo, City Mobile Force Company, and the EOD-K9 Unit, 94 personnel from the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) to manage the heavy flow of vehicles, alongside Public Safety and Security Associates, Task Force Davao (41 personnel), and the Bureau of Fire Protection, City Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Office, BDRRMC Matina Crossing, and San Pablo PDART.
As of 1 p.m., official records from the command post estimated the number of devotees at 10,078.
Despite the high volume of people, Cpt Jobert D. Mancera, operations team leader, reported that the situation remained “peaceful and normal.”
