TASK Force Davao (TFD) formally launched Friday, April 7, at Southern Mindanao Transport Terminal Inc. (SMTTI) Terminal, SM City Davao, its intensified "No To Terror" advocacy campaign.
The drive seeks to elevate the public's level of awareness as the task force's major partner in monitoring the security of the city.
"This is really part of our advocacy program for the people to be aware on the threat of terrorism kasi terrorism as we all know is a worldwide trend," TFD commander Erwin Bernard Neri told reporters.
Aside from the "No to Terror" advocacy pins that they started to distribute since last year, the troops have also partnered with the SMTTI in strengthening their campaign by adding more information materials such as stickers and posters that will be posted on both sides of more or less 400 UV express vans of SMTTI members.
"There is really a need for everybody to be involved in the fight against terrorism kasi ang ating mga security forces naman would not be enough kung walang tulong ng lahat ng publiko," said Neri.
He appealed to the public to cooperate in their efforts to fight terrorism by reporting to authorities suspicious people and activities in the area.
Over 100 unattended baggages have already been reported to their office.
Neri said this simple act shows the public's participation in the authorities' efforts to fight terrorism.
Although there are no specific threats that they have received through their intelligence, Neri said they are not letting their guards down and will implement maximum security.
Meanwhile, SMTTI president Ram Purswani, in a separate interview, said that he extended his assistance to TFD and initiated the advocacy campaign to help in maintaining the peace and order of the city.
The move is also to encourage various establishments to participate in the undertaking.
"This is to show them na walang dapat matakot. Umpisahan natin, tayo mismo nandiyan sa community then when we start this. Pag nakita ito ng iba, everybody will follow the footstep kung anong ginagawa natin ngayon," he said.
Also present during the activity were Davao City Councilors Nilo Abellera Jr., committee chair on the city's public safety; Conrado Baluran, chair of the committee of public transport and communications; and Davao City Overland Transport Terminal head Aiza Yusopha, among others.