The Task Force Davao , in collaboration with the City Government of Davao and other stakeholders, launched yesterday at the City Hall the “No to Terror” advocacy to raise people’s awareness and vigilance.
The launching was attended by City Administrator Atty. Zuleika Lopez, Public Safety and Security Command Center head Benito de Leon, TFD Commander Erwin Bernard Neri, peace advocates, and other agencies.
“The launching of this advocacy to raise the awareness of the citizenry against terrorism,” Neri explained. pointed out.
TFD has also produced more than a thousand pins and distributed it to all attendees during the launching.
Neri said that advocacy would strengthen not only the unit but also among Dabawenyos as the pin, as the symbol of anti-terrorism, would remind the locals that the city will not succumb into terrorism.
He mentioned that the pin symbolizes their commitment to promote peace, address terrorism and remind everyone to stand up and fight against terrorism.
De Leon emphasized that the public security is the responsibility of everyone.
“We should always help each other in achieving peace and security,” he said, adding that everyone must remain vigilant at all times.
Kent Jason Capute, 34, a resident of Davao City said that he is fully supportive of the anti-terrorist campaign of the security forces since it also meant to provide safety for civilians like him.
“I want the other people to see that we Davaoṅoes are standing against terrorism and it can never bring us down, through this we will be more vigilant to have a safer city,” he said.
Task Force Davao commander, Col Erwin Bernard Neri said that the pinning of anti-terror pin is a sign that the Davaonoes stand up and fight against terrorism.
“After that incident on September 2, we emphasized that we have to raise the level of awareness and vigilance of the people against terrorism,” Neri said.
He said that the pinning symbolizes that the people of Davao can unite and go against terrorism.
“Security forces can’t do this alone, so we need the help of the community,” he added.
Neri also calls on the business sectors to replicate the pins and put it on their employees to show unity within the city.
Last month, the Task Force Davao conducted an anti-terrorism seminar to the barangay officials to let their constituent know of the things that they need to do.
After the bombing that took 15 lives, the security forces implemented a strict security policy including on the checkpoint operation.
Neri said that they have been asking the vehicle owners to let their windows down and open their compartment for security purposes.
He said that since President Rodrigo Duterte declared the entire country under the state of lawless violence, security forces can look thoroughly at the vehicles entering the city. (with a story by F. Pearl A. Gajunera)