DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard is tightening its watch on foreign vessels calling port in Davao to strengthen security.
In a Philippine Information Agency dispatch, PCG commander Commodore Joselito Dela Cruz said the foreign vessels coming in “could be in the guise of transporting goods.”
Dela Cruz said foreign vessels could be carrying “hazardous materials or weapons of mass destruction”.
He said containerized vessels can hardly be detected of carrying harmful cargoes.
Dela Cruz cited this situation as a major challenge for PCG in Southeastern Mindanao which covers the Davao Gulf as local economies grow and venture into exports industry.
“In Davao Region, the economic activities are progressing. We also have to take a look at the security aspect of the progress,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dela Cruz revealed moves of coordinating with agencies of the national government protecting the Philippine waters particularly the Philippine Navy to come up with a maritime security plan for Davao Region.
The focus on security aspect of the Davao Port also stems from the concern raised by the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA).
Dela Cruz said that MinDA had received an advance information sent through email from the United States Coast Guard which conveyed its plan “to blacklist the port of Davao”.
“Pag galing ang vessel dito di ka basta makakadaong sa port sa US (If the vessel came from (Port of Davao), you cannot just dock at US’ port), you have to undergo inspection,” he said.
He, however, viewed the US Coast Guard “advance info” relayed informally as just “a plan” and that “we still have time to rectify the (port security) deficiencies”.
He said such deficiencies were noted by the US Coast Guard “when they came here early this year to inspect the port of Davao”.
The US Coast Guard implements the International Ship & Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code which “we should adhere to,” Dela Cruz said. (davaotoday.com)
