DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The city government of Davao together with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Task Force Davao (TF-Davao) will strictly implement the “No Backpack” policy during the conduct of the midterm election on Monday, May 13.
The move is to tighten the security measures in the city as thousands of voters will come out on Monday to polling precincts to cast their votes.
In a press conference on Wednesday, May 8, Col. Consolito Yecla, commander of TF-Davao emphasized that the “No Backpack” policy is not new in the city.
Yecla said Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio previously ordered the implementation of the policy after the deadly bombing of Jolo Cathedral on January 27, 2019.
Authorities in the city also implemented the measure during major events in the city, such as the Araw ng Dabaw.
“It is because we are not only concern about the election process but we are also focusing on the threat of terrorism,” Yecla said.
DCPO Director P/Col. Alexander Tagum also asked for the understanding of the public during the strict implementation of the policy on Monday.
“This is my request to the public,” Tagum emphasized, adding that, “as much as possible if they can do away in bringing bag packs better not to bring it to lessen the burden of the security forces.”
The DCPO will deploy 1 team of police officers in every voting area that will ensure safety and security protocols during the election on Monday, he said. (davaotoday.com)
