COMMUNITIES were urged to report to authorities should they notice suspicious people renting in and making their areas as possible hideout of terrorist groups.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Director Marcelo Morales said Monday, September 3, that they have been beefing up their security measures to ensure that these lawless elements will not enter Davao region.

Morales, a former director of PRO-Soccsksargen prior to his assumption as Davao region's top cop, was saddened by the fatal twin bombings in Sultan Kudarat that killed a total of four individuals and wounded several others.

"Dito sa Davao City, hindi po kami nagbababang alert level dito. We maintain the full alert status and meron po kaming ginagawang inspection sa aming mga deployments. Alam naman natin na nakalatag na ang ating security measures dito sa iba't-ibang locations ng checkpoints, police visibility points and yon dating mga ginagawang crime prevention patrol, we called enhanced managing police operations," Morales said.

As part of the security, they also strengthened the deployment of duty officers by conducting daily inspection and random mobile checkpoint aside from fixed checkpoints.

Morales said there are other checkpoints outside of Davao City, like in Bansalan, Digos, Tagum, that were put up before entering Davao City.

They will also expand the Oplan Kalinaw in Davao to weed out criminal elements and render public service to the communities, he added.

"Parang nagiging another layer sila to protect itong city of Davao sa mga lawless elements and threat groups and meron din tayong isasagawa na interagency law enforcement program," he said.

Morales recalled the operation they carried out during his stint as PRO-Soccsksargen director where a suspected "bomb expert" of the Islamic State-inspired Maute terror group was killed inside their rented space in General Santos City.

"Based sa experience namin, may umuupa galing sa ibang lugar upang doon magsagawa o magplano sa kanilang ginagawang terroristic acts kagaya ng nangyari sa General Santos City, umupa sila ng apartment at doon nag-kikita ang mga identified leaders ng mga Maute Isis," he said, cautioning those who are into rental business to assess properly the people who will be renting their spaces.

Meanwhile, Task Force Davao commander Colonel Nolasco Mempin said the "TFD continues to be on high alert and on our toes to ensure that no untoward incident would occur in Davao City."

"We have intensified our checkpoint operations in all possible entry points to the City such as land and shorelines. We have enhanced our collaborative efforts with DCPO and other security forces," he said.

As part of their enhanced security, they also require visitors at Roxas Night Market to bring their valid IDs. They added additional personnel and thorough checking of bags was imposed.