DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Security forces in Davao are now on high alert with the upcoming yuletide season.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte has instructed the police to reduce the criminal incidents and noted that security in the city must also be intensified due to threats.
“I urged the police to reduce further criminal incidents especially on the period from November to December when people come together for the holidays,” Duterte said.
She said that the continued military and police operations in the provinces of Zamboanga, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-tawi was sufficient enough to maintain the high alert status in the city.
According to Duterte, since the President of the Philippines lives here, Davao City could be a target of terrorism.
To improve further the security operations, Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Erwin Bernard Neri requested for movable equipment like metal detectors, signal jammers, x-ray scanners, among others.
Duterte pledged support to provide the equipment to improve the security of the city.
“The city government will support the needs of the Task Force Davao since the local government has funds for these projects,” she said. “I support the security sector in handling the peace and order in Davao City especially the activation of the Joint Task Force Haribon which adds personnel from other units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
“I also gave them guidance to prepare for the Christmas Season because historically an increase in petty, and street crimes and there is an alert for terrorism,” she added.
Meanwhile, crime incidents in the city has reduced from January to October 2016 compared to the same period last year.
She revealed that the Public Safety Command Center is still studying to revive the Barangay Police Unit which was disbanded in October 2016. A budget of P5.9 million was allocated for the BPU. (davaotoday.com)
