DAVAO CITY, Philippines – With the expected influx of both local and foreign visitors in celebration of the Lenten season, authorities in Davao City are now on full security alert.
The Public Safety Security Command Center (PSSCC) said security plans are now in place to ensure the safety and security of the visitors and residents of the city during the span of the Lenten season.
PSSCC deputy head Angel Sumagaysay said they would deploy augmentation forces in strategic and public areas of the city to include churches, malls, seaports, public terminals, and at the Davao International Airport (DIA).
Most of the augmentation forces will come from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao (TF-Davao), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Central 911, Sumagaysay added.
“This is to ensure the safety of the people as we observe the Lenten season,” he said.
Deployment of police personnel will begin on April 14, Palm Sunday until April 21, Easter Sunday, said DCPO spokesperson P/Capt. Ma. Teresita Gaspan.
Gaspan, speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, April 10 added they would carry out that multi-layered security measures throughout the season as they are under heightened security status.
“Of course we will still implement random and regular checkpoints in all identified areas. We will also deploy police auxiliaries to ensure (that) communities (are) crime-free,” she said.
The City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), meanwhile, will also deploy 955 personnel to man the traffics in all 16 major churches and public places in the city.
By April 14, the CTTMO will deploy 139 traffic personnel to all churches for the celebration of Palm Sunday while 213 of their personnel will be assigned in specified areas during the Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
On the afternoon of Black Saturday, CTTMO said they would deploy 92 personnel and 248 personnel during the celebration of Easter Sunday. (davaotoday.com)
