FOLLOWING the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to dismantle unnecessary police checkpoints nationwide, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) heeded the call and directed different stations to remove the regular road checkpoints as police visibility will be strengthened instead.
The DCPO Spokesperson Senior Inspector Catherine Dela Rey told SunStar Davao Tuesday, November 1, that DCPO city director Senior Superintendent Michael John Dubria had issued on Monday a directive that seeks its subordinates to refrain from doing its usual checkpoints days after Duterte's announcement.
"The city director directed station commanders to refrain from conducting checkpoints as directed by the President," Dela Rey said.
This developed after they formally received the memorandum from the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao which states that authorities will only establish checkpoints if necessary and if there is particular purpose for setting it up.
Before the directive was issued, DCPO has been operating 24 hours in checkpoints by 12 police stations.
The DCPO will intensify and enhance its police visibility through foot, bike, motorcycle and mobile patrol to ensure the safety and security of the city as it is more effective since criminals are less expected and more illegal contraband are being apprehended.
Fixed checkpoints, according to her, have become irrelevant since criminals can evade it being set up in the same location.
Earlier, President Duterte ordered the dismantling of all police checkpoints except in instances when they are pursuing criminals in those areas.
"Only if there is specific reason to do it, I am ordering all checkpoints dismantled," Duterte said, adding checkpoints should only be put up if they receive information that a high-value target or suspect will cross a certain road.
Earlier, Dela Rosa ordered checkpoints nationwide to secure vital installations following the Davao night market bombing in Davao City last September 2 that left 15 dead and 69 others injured.
The checkpoints were boosted by military personnel.