Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte urged Dabawenyos on Tuesday to be vigilant at all times and be mindful that terrorism is still present.
The mayor made the statement in his message during the 21st anniversary of the Sasa Wharf bombing in Brgy. Sasa, Davao City on Tuesday where he led the offering of flowers and lighting of candles at the blast site. The deadly attack on April 2, 2003, left 17 people dead and 56 others injured.
Duterte explained that Davao City is located on an island where there is conflict and a history of terrorism.
“Mao na dapat pirmi naa sa atong hunahuna nga naa ng butanga (terrorism). Usahay mukumpyansa ta kay okay man gud tungod kay maayo ang trabaho sa atong pulis ug sundalo. Pero dili nimo matagna ang panahon kay naa man gud,” he said.
He added that Dabawenyos should not be complacent and always remember the Culture of Security, which encourages Dabawenyos to adopt vigilance in their everyday life.
“Kanang Culture of Security sa laktod na pagka istorya kinahanglan magbinantayon ta kintahay naay mabilin na bag, suspicious, ug kanang mga activity sa tawo nga tan-aw ninyo mabalaka ta, basin naay bomba o naay magpabuto, kinahanglan mulihok ta ug kinahanglan nga responsive ta ug i-report nato sa mga kapulisan. Ang motto gyud sa Culture of Security “Pag May Nakita, Magsalita”,” the mayor said.
To heighten young people’s awareness of the security and safety situation in the city, Task Force Davao integrated the Culture of Security for all private and public elementary and high school students through an infomercial.
The mayor urged the public to help each other as the city government of Davao, police, and TF Davao cannot do it alone considering that the daytime population in the city reached two million people.
“Sulod ug gawas na diri tanan. Unya pipila lang ang atong sundalo, Task Force, ug mga pulis. Taga Davao man tang tanan wala tay laing choice kundi mag binantayon tang tanan ug magtinabangay ta,” he said.
Duterte thanked the police and the military led by the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) for continuing to watch over the safety and security of the Dabawenyos and the City Social Services and Development Office (CSSDO) in monitoring, especially the victims of the Sasa Wharf bombing who lost their families.
“Ang gusto lang nako mahibaw-an ninyo nga kaning gobyerno nato mao ning gusto namo na kitang tanan sa gobyerno naa pirmi para ninyo ug dili lang sa panahon sa kalipay ug panahon pud sa pait ug kasakit. Gusto nako mahibaw-an ninyo nga naa mi pirmi para ninyo. Mao ni ang mga ahensiya sa gobyerno nga pirminti lang gihapon ang ilang effort labi na sa terorismo ug lugi ta kitang sibiliyan, dili ta kahibaw nga, wala pa gyud tay sala, inosente ta, kita pa gyud ang hilabtan,” Duterte said.
The mayor also expressed his disappointment with the Marcos administration for not doing its best in addressing terrorism in Mindanao.
“Paminaw lang nako ni, wala ko kahibaw gyud kung unsa ang ilang treatment, pero sa makit-an man gud nako na kuwang, dili pud ko muingon na wala kay naa man ang atong mga sundalo, kita bitaw mo nga pila ka engkwentruhan na, atong last Christmas, gi-bombahan ang Marawi unya naa pay misulod na duha ka engkwentro. Buot pasabot ana naa na pu’y activity, galihok na pud na sila (terrorists). Kinahanglan man gud serious ang approach ani nga matter (terrorism),” he said.
The mayor expressed his gratitude to the families for continuing to support the city government of Davao.
“Magpasalamat ko sa mga pamilya nga ania karon sa pagsabot sa gobyerno ug sa tanang inyong gipakita ug suporta ug dili nato kalimtan ang Culture of Security nga ipakatag nato diri sa atong dakbayan,” he said.
