THE DAVAO City Police Office (DCPO) has issued a public advisory detailing a list of “dos and don’ts” for the month-long Kadayawan Festival, urging residents and visitors to practice vigilance and cooperation to ensure a safe and peaceful celebration.
The advisory, released by acting city director Col Mannan C. Muarip, comes as the city prepares for the festivities, which are scheduled to run from Aug. 7 to 31, 2025.
Muarip emphasized the DCPO’s full commitment to public safety and called for community partnership, stating, “The success of Kadayawan doesn’t rely on security forces alone, but on each individual’s discipline, vigilance, and sense of responsibility.
“While the advisory did not list specific prohibitions, the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) and other security partners have previously outlined strict guidelines for major event areas. These include a ban on backpacks, caps, jackets, pointed umbrellas, and non-transparent water bottles.
The city’s “culture of security,” which encourages the public to report any suspicious items or behavior, will be strictly enforced.
The DCPO has been stepping up its preparations, including conducting urban tactical drills to ensure a swift and coordinated response to potential threats.
Earlier this week, the city’s security cluster announced the deployment of approximately 14,000 security personnel throughout the month, with around 600 uniformed officers on daily rotation in major activity areas such as San Pedro Square and Magsaysay Park.
Muarip urged the public to become “stewards of peace” by following the guidelines, respecting one another, and embracing the festival’s true spirit of “unity in diversity.”
