DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 4 December) – Police authorities in this city have beefed up security measures following the bombing incident at the Mindanao State University in Marawi City (MSU-Marawi) on Sunday that left four people dead and injured 42 others.
Capt. Hazel Tuazon, spokesperson for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said in a statement on Monday that the city has been placed on full alert status following the MSU-Marawi bombing.
She said that the security sector has strengthened the “Davao Defense System” and enforced stricter measures at the checkpoints at the city’s borders.
Tuazon said that the DCPO has also intensified police presence in crowded places, particularly in churches in the city.
She claimed that there has been no reported threat against the city.
For this Christmas season, a total of 9,806 security personnel have been deployed from November 28 to December 31 to secure the residents and visitors to the city, she said.
Tuazon said that various police stations in the city have conducted checkpoint operations within their respective jurisdictions “as preemptive measures against lawless elements” and to “ensure public safety, maintain peace and order, and sustain the DCPO’s relentless campaign against criminality and terrorism.”
She said checkpoint operations were conducted in Estores Malagamot in Panacan, Sandawa, Mandug, and Paquibato.
She said that “all vehicles are being strictly inspected purposely to intensify our campaign” against criminality and terrorism following the explosion during a Catholic mass celebration at the Dimaporo Gymnasium inside MSU-Marawi.
Tuazon said that the police stations conducting checkpoint operations reported that the situation in their areas of responsibility “remains to be peaceful and normal with no untoward incident.”
Police Major Catherine dela Rey, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao spokesperson, said the PRO-Davao strongly condemns the heinous bombing incident.
“This act of terrorism has resulted in the loss of several lives and has caused injuries and trauma to many others. We stand in mourning with the affected families and pray for the swift recovery of those who have been wounded,” she said.
She said the PRO-Davao will enhance its personnel deployment strategy, particularly in areas of convergence such as malls, churches, transportation terminals, and various government facilities and installations.
Dela Rey added that authorities would implement stricter and more comprehensive checkpoints at the different entry and exit points in the region to “prevent any act of terrorism and will uphold public safety to the best of our ability and capacity.”
She called on the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious individuals or objects to the nearest police station.
“Together, let us work towards ensuring a safe, peaceful, and orderly Christmas season for all,” Tuazon said. (Antonio L. Colina IV / MindaNews)
