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Friday, March 16, 2007
Measures laid out for peaceful 'Araw' celebration
By Grace L. Plata and Ben O. Tesiorna
DAVAO CITY -- Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte was locked in a conference Wednesday night with police and military personnel to ensure that all precautionary and safety measures are in place for Friday's 70th Araw ng Dabaw celebration.
Southern Mindanao Regional Police Director Andres Caro o said they have enhanced the security plan for the festivities calling it "Oplan Seguridad."
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"We will be deploying 1,500 warm bodies composed of the local PNP (Philippine National Police) and AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel throughout the celebration," said Davao City Police Chief Jaime Morente in a press conference following the meeting.
This 1,500 police and military personnel will be fielded in convergence points, including the overland terminal, added Morente.
Over at the AFP's Eastern Mindanao Command (Eastmincom), Lieutenant General Rodolfo Obaniana belied a claim by an arrested terror suspect that the latter was supposed to be on a bombing mission to the city in time for the celebrations.
Suspect Akmad Salludin was presented to the media Wednesday at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (CIDG-Armm) headquarters, where he claimed he was tasked by Basit Usman to plant a bomb during the Araw ng Dabaw celebration Friday and the Sultan Mastura Day Thursday.
In a text message, Obaniana did not deny the presence of terrorist threat for Friday's event but insisted that the improvised explosive device (IEDs) seized from Salludin in Sultan Mastura town of Shariff Kabunsuan was not intended to be planted in the city in time for the Araw ng Dabaw celebration.
Obaniana assured Dabawenyos that they are doing their best to prevent any terrorists from coming in to the city.
To prove that Friday's celebration is secure and safe, Obaniana will be attending the parade.
Salludin was arrested in a safehouse in Barangay Tambo at around 2:45 a.m. Tuesday. He is said to be a bomb expert and a close associate of wanted terrorist Abdul Basit Usman.
Despite the tightened security measures, Mayor Duterte urged vigilance among residents pointing out that the city is "as always, in the receiving end of terrorist threats."
"We already have intelligence reports of those who seek to stir up some kind of trouble and we are validating time and time again whether this people will go on with their planned nefarious activities," Duterte said.
"Residents who notice anything suspicious are encouraged to call 911. Should the 911 be busy, they can call 166 instead, the police direct line," Duterte said.
"God forbid that there will be a malfunction in our emergency rescue system but if so, the public can directly dial the police number because they have a separate communication system," he said.
The mayor, however, assured the public that every effort is being made for a peaceful and successful "Araw" celebration.
Davao City Police Office deputy chief for operations Restito Gatera echoed what has been said before that the city will just have to be on alert.
"The city, being the financial hub of Mindanao would always be a target for terrorists," Gatera said.
Gatera said whether the terrorists will claim they have plans or not, the police will remain on guard.
He added that the cooperation of the community is most crucial to the success of the Araw ng Dabaw celebrations Friday.
"The vigilance of the people is our best weapon against the threats of terrorism," Gatera said.
Aside from terrorists, personnel will also be fielded out to watch out for petty criminals who may take advantage of the big crowd of people.
Friday's celebration is a mix of parties, civic activities, the parade, and a mob of visitors. (Sun. Star Davao/Sunnex)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro. (March 16, 2007 issue)
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