DU31 HEADBANDS. These two mothers, who are die-hard supporters of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte, are wearing headbands designed with the face of Duterte. (Ace R. Morandante/davaotoday.com)
By May Anne Love Deseo
DAVAO CITY— The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) said the “One Love, One Nation” thanksgiving party for President-elect Rodrigo Duterte was“generally peaceful and manageable”.
DCPO spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz said that although there were no “untoward incidents” that day, the emergency team reported 45 cases of fainting and shortness of breath. Four cases were brought to the hospital, three experienced hypertension, and one suffered lacerations.
Driz also said that the complaints of the attendees who lost some of their belongings after it was confiscated is not the fault of the police.
Attendees had to surrender their umbrellas, backpacks, pens, and other sharp objects at the inspection areas before walking in.
Driz said that even before the event, it was announced that there was no baggage counter. She added that information on the prohibited items was properly disseminated.
However, soon after Duterte gave his speech, a number of the participants complained after finding out that the items they surrendered were nowhere to be found.
“It’s not our fault if there were loss cases because in the first place it was confiscation which we conducted,” Driz said.
Driz said that the complainants should understand that the surrendering of items was a security measure following a protocol. “Those were lessons learned that they should not bring the prohibited items so that they won’t worry, and lose nothing),” she said.
Inspector Camarillo Gregorio, the assigned officer at the entrance inspection area, said that “it is best” that verbal complaints as well as “in black and white” be reported to the police station.
Driz said that unclaimed items were brought to the Talomo police station. She added that the complaints can be addressed there. (davaotoday.com)
