By Jade C. Zaldivar
WHILE the city awaits a formal response from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has issued a verbal order to local police to implement a six-day gun ban as an alternative to an earlier request in line with the celebration of the 75th Araw ng Dabaw.
It may be recalled that the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) met February 28 and passes a resolution requesting PNP Director General Nicanor Bartolome to declare a gun ban in Davao City for the whole month of March 20212.
But Duterte-Carpio took it upon herself to verbally order the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to prohibit the carrying of firearms from March 12 to 17.
“Kabalo na man ka aning gobyerno, diyos ko Lord, 10,000 years bago mulihok. Katong sa CPOC niana mi nga one month para dili magkulang sa hinulatay sa approval,” Duterte-Carpio said Monday in a press conference.
“Wala na namo gibutang didto sa CPOC resolution, pero inalternative amo na lang gi-verbal diri sa atoang local na kapulisan na nay gun-ban Monday sa opening, March 12 hanggang Saturday, March 17 sa pahalipay,” she said.
The mayor on February 28 said she expected there will be a delay in the approval of the CPOC’s request thus she ordered for a month-long gun ban.
“Rather than falling short, it’s better we lengthen the number of days,” the mayor said.
With her expectation met, the mayor said the CPOC has agreed to an alternative which is to implement a gun-ban during the busiest days of the Araw celebrations when people will crowd the streets.
The mayor, however, said they had received contact from the PNP informing the local government that the approval is underway.
“Gi-check namo the other day, naa na didto sa ilang operations. Nanawag na sila for clarification regarding the resolution,” she said.
“We’ll just have to wait for action and/or final decision of the national headquarters regarding our request,” she added.
Challenge to cops
Meanwhile, the mayor said the DCPO cannot afford to be slack against criminality.
“That is the reality of the workings of the city. Kinanglan mu-respond sila, mu-step up sa challenges. What is important is naga-trabaho ang atong kapulisan,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“The DCPO director, Colonel Ronald dela Rosa, has strengthened its overt and covert tactics. Gipakusog nila ilang patrolling, ilang police visibility. They do follow-ups, and call for communities and barangays to support the police,” she said.
