NAGA City -- At least 619 rookie policemen, who are on field training in different Bicol provinces, have been fielded by the Police Regional Office 5 in Camp Gen. Simeon Ola, Legazpi City, to augment the 300-man force of the Naga City Police Office for the week-long religious celebration of the 301-year-old Peña-francia festivities, which starts tomorrow.

Newly-installed city police director Senior Supt. Antonio Nilayan Gardiola Jr. said yesterday that since Sept. 1, an initial augmentation force of 189 policemen was sent to this city to secure participants to conventions and an international academic event.

With the holding of the “Traslacion” on Sept. 9, the first major religious rites of the Peñafrancia, another batch of 430 policemen arrived yesterday to also augment the city police force. They are mostly new police graduates on Scout Ranger Course at Camp Simeon Ola.

Gardiola said the Police Regional Office 5 has also sent special police units, an explosive and ordnance team and seven SWAT teams fresh from training in Camp Ola, and a canine unit.

Police are expected to secure some two million pilgrims, devotees, tourists and the local residents in city streets, commercial districts and pilgrim sites.

Gardiola said that the Naga Catholic hierarchy had requested that permanent police outposts be installed at the Naga Cathedral, the Peñafrancia Basilica and the 200-year-old Peñafrancia Shrine, all centers of the religious rites.