THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) recorded zero crime rate in the city on Thursday, May 25, a day after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao on Tuesday evening.
DCPO spokesperson Teresita Gaspan, in an interview after the I-Speak media forum, said they received zero crime reports from all police stations within the city as of 8 a.m. Thursday.
“Negative (from Police Station 1 up to Police Station 12, we have not recorded any incidents until now (Thursday morning),” she said.
She said having such record is a good external motivation since it is indicator that many people followed the law.
“Peaceful bisan ang dalan (Even the roads are peaceful),” she said.
Gaspan added that police operations like Oplan Double Barrel and Oplan Galugad are in place.
“We also have round-the-clock inspections in many areas within the city. We also conduct thorough inspections to the motorists,” she said.
A “hold and secure” method was enforced in the city since Wednesday dawn, May 24.
Through this order, a much stricter checkpoint operations were conducted in many areas within Davao city.
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office in Davao Region Director Manuel Gaerlan said he is hopeful that the trend will continue.
Public Safety and Security Command Center chief Benito De Leon mentioned in the same media forum that the declaration of the martial law is a welcome development contrary to the claims of "abuses" that can be done to civilians, it makes the area more secure.
De Leon said that citizens can immediately report any abuses done to them.