DAVAO BOMBING MEMORIAL. Everyday since the Davao bombing incident that claimed the lives of 15 and wounded 69 others, people from all over Davao City visit blast site along Roxas Avenue to light candles and offer flowers and prayers. (Paulo C. Rizal/davaotoday.com)
TAGUM CITY—Taking cue from the recent bomb threats that circulated in Davao City, a military official asked the public here not to pass on bomb threat information without assessing whether or not such information is a hoax.
“Our judgement call would be to tip off the PNP for them to respond. We have the expert staff to handle such case. We also have our K-9 units,” said Army Major Hector S. de Leon, Commander of Task Force Tagum told reporters here on Tuesday, September 13 at Tagum’s Biz Talk.
“If we saw baggages, bags that look suspicious, don’t touch it and immediately cordon the area. Wait for our K-9 unit and EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) unit. They are our experts who are capable to handle explosives,” de Leon said.
He added that the public can call the PNP through the PNP hotline numbers in case there are reports of bomb threats.
“Part of our awareness campaign is the distribution of our contact numbers (Task Force Tagum), PNP hotline numbers and the city government of Tagum,” he said.
De Leon advised the public, specifically the schools, not to immediately share the bomb threat information to others so as not to fan the flames.
He likened the incident in Davao after a text message that claimed of threats of bombings in several public schools in the city which caused the abrupt cancellation of classes.
“Actually, together with the Commander of CMO Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division, we also have our school-to-school awareness campaign. As observation here in Tagum’s night market, majority, roughly 50 to 60 percent of the people are students coming from University of Mindanao,” he explained.
Task Force Tagum was established on September 3, a day after the deadly Davao blast claimed the lives of 15 civilians and injured at least 69 others. (davaotoday.com)
