Friday, December 14, 2007 Ledesma: Task Force Davao By Jun Ledesma Sunbursts
REACTING to a sanction from the Commission on Audit, the City Council slashed P21-million from the peace and order fund. At quick glance, this imperils the security we have against terrorist threats and crime syndicates.
It appears that COA suddenly found something wrong in providing operational and administrative funds to Task Force Davao, which is the primary guardian of peace and order in the city.
From what I knew, one of the salient aspects in the Presidential Order creating TFD was for the city government to provide necessary funds for additional manpower (coming from the ranks of Cafgus or CVOs), provisions for equipment and facilities to include operational expenses and maintenance.
The elite regular Army contingent assigned with the task force is only mandated to train the Cafgus and the CVOs and provide the necessary firearms. They too exercise operational supervision over the civilian component, which by the way, are under the payroll of the city government. In short, according to TFD Commander Col. Alan Luga, the city government shoulders 80 percent of the operational expenses, including manpower, which is translated to P21 million.
For a measly amount of P21 million, we are bound to compromise the security of the city. Too small an amount for the peace and quiet that we enjoy today.
If you recall, TFD was created because of the vulnerability of Davao City to terrorist attacks. Remember the bombings of the old Davao International Airport and Sasa wharf waiting sheds? A total of 33 innocent civilians were killed in those senseless manslaughter. TFD trained civilian volunteers, set up a matrix of spy network that provided vital information on movements of suspicious characters.
These tripping points are found in every nook and corner of the vast expanse of the city: in the urban center, in the ghettos, in the remotest rural areas especially those possible access points into the city. By their mere visibility TFD has effectively deterred adventurous criminal syndicates and terrorist elements from venturing into the city. They have barred notorious private armies from Cotabato and Diwalwal from coming to Davao City with their bodyguards and arms arsenals.
I cannot imagine Davao City without TFD. Well, maybe our police force can provide some modicum of security. In the meantime however, once TFD details go back to their mother units, Dabawenyos should just be a little more vigilant than usual and forego with some nocturnal activities.
