Several days after the lifting of the ceasefire, security forces here have assured the preparedness of the government forces to secure the city.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) chief Benito De Leon assured the community that Davao City is safe and secured from threats.
De Leon said that they have worked hand in hand with the military and police for the “proactive” security measures to make sure that any threats will be countered before it enters the city.
“They (Security forces) gave the assurance that they are prepared to counter any threats as a result of the termination of the ceasefire,” he said.
He said that the military and police have increased their intelligence monitoring to avoid any eventualities in the city.
“If in the past the security forces are passive because of the ceasefire, we are now more proactive in our security measures,” he said.
He said that they have implemented “aggressive patrolling” in the entire city to intensify their security campaign.
After Duterte declared the reds as a terrorist, Joint Task Force Haribon also take charge in securing the city from any “terroristic activities” that will occur after the termination of the ceasefire.
JTF Haribon Commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said that they have beefed up their deployments in the city as well as the coordination with the Police Regional Office 11’s Regional Public Safety Battalion.
“We have deployed additional forces from the RPSB 11 and also additional Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) Canine for our checkpoint areas,” Gapay said.
Gapay also stressed that they are constantly monitoring the movements of the rebels since the President categorized them as terrorist.
He said that they have not seen any allegiance of the NPA and the terrorist group such as the Maute group and Jaemaah Islamia among others.
“Though they have similar activities like the terrorist groups like extortion, kidnapping and many more, that is not a remote possibility that they will have an allegiance with the known terrorist groups,” Gapay said.
The city center has not been experiencing any attacks coming from the New People’s Army since the former mayor, now President Rodrigo Duterte asked them to stay away from the city for the safety of the Davaoeños.
Duterte even had a gentlemen’s agreement with the reds to just let the police do their jobs when they investigate on different incidents near the camps of the NPA.
