The city government of Davao will be testing and enhancing security and safety readiness in responding to terror incidents through a Davao City-wide Culture of Security simulation exercise, which is expected to happen next week.
To be spearheaded by the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), the simulation exercise will be carried out in a school in Davao City.
Angel Sumagaysay, head of PSSCC, said scenarios during the simex will be grenade throwing, active shooting, and hostage taking.
“Davao City as simex city kay every quarter nagapahigayon ta ug simulation exercise. Sa pagkakaron all set na kami all system go na. Karon gi complicate nato ang scenario para makita ang lihok ug response sa concerned units. Escalating pud ang scenario,” he said over Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Friday.
The simex will be participated by all safety and security units of the city including the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Task Force Davao (TF Davao), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), Central 911, maritime groups, Department of Education 11 (DepEd 11), and Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
“The venue will be within the school. You know what? In simulation it is important ang participation sa isa ka establishment kung asa nato gipahigayon ang simex. Hindi lang school but also establishments within that area because you cannot predict someday kung asa mahitabo ang mga incidents,” Sumagaysay said.
Sumagaysay said the simex aims to test or gauge the operational readiness of the security and safety units of Davao City and most importantly is the result of the interoperability response on terror attack.
“Anaa naman tay mga protocols but then again matud pa sa saying na “practice makes perfect.” Halos tanan scenario nahimo naman nato. Gina-enhance nato ang interoperability sa atong security units. Ang trend today kung makita mo sa mga international events ang mga incidents didto kining active shooting labi na sa western part. Naay latest incident I think in Europe kutsilyo ang gigamit,” he added.
He also said the simex will also test the preparedness of the CTTMO personnel because the traffic is expected to be heavy if there is a simex being conducted.
“Kung mugamit ta ug kalsada dinha nato ma test ang lihok sa CTTMO. Holistic ni na event. Kung naa man gamay na discomfort sa katawhan diha pud nato makita ang participation ug obedience nila in case pag-ingon sa CTTMO i-reroute nato siya. At least naka heads up nata gamay,” Sumagaysay said.
It is also expected that the community will participate by following instructions given to them during the simex.
“Ang amo na hangyo is gamay lang man ni nga panahon in preparation in case naay mga scenario. But knock on wood na dili nato magamit ni nga mga scenario. Kinahanglan na tanan scenario o insidente gina anticipate nato kay dili man mahibaw-an but then again kung prepare ta naa tay direction. Kaning simex dili lang ni dapat solohon sa security dapat naay participation pud sa community,” he said.
