ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) -- Additional police personnel will arrive in Romblon on Friday to serve as an augmentation force to secure the celebration of the Biniray Festival 2023 this coming weekend.

Major Gemie Mallen said that 40 personnel will be arriving from different Municipal Police Stations (MPS) in Romblon on Friday.

"We are expecting a 40 additional personnel to augment Romblon MPS," Major Mallen said in an interview with PIA Romblon.

He added that those augmentation forces will be assigned to choke points to secure the whole event together with 26 personnel of Romblon Municipal Police Station.

Romblon Mayor Gerard Montojo declares Friday, January 13, as a special municipal non-working holiday in Romblon, Romblon which starts the celebration to allow Christians to observe and partake in the traditional commencement of the nine-day gaiety and religious undertakings in the said municipality.

Meanwhile, Mallen said that police in Romblon are 100% prepared and is in very close coordination with Romblon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and with Romblon Municipal Tourism Office.

He added that roads in Poblacion will be closed on Saturday, January 14, from 6 in the morning until 5 in the afternoon.

"Sa ating mga kababayan, at sa mga bisita na nandito na at gusto pang pumunta para ma-witness ang Biniray Festival 2023, kami po sa kapulisan ay nakikiusap na sundin ang mga alintuntunin, mga pinatutupad na batas at municipal ordinance," said Mallen. (PJF/PIA MIMAROPA)