LAPSES observed during the bomb simulation exercise conducted by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) on Monday, September 24, will be corrected to strengthen preparedness of the authorities in possible terror attacks and other similar incidents, a Cocpo official said.
Cocpo spokesperson Superintendent Mardy Hortillosa II said on Tuesday, September 25, the one-hour bomb drill in uptown Cagayan de Oro was participated by representatives of different units of Cocpo.
"Dili namo isaba ang mga lapses kay sa internal nana siya namo nga i-address (We will not disclose the lapses, we will address them internally)," he said.
Cocpo chief Senior Superintendent Nelson Aganon has ordered the conduct of the Crisis Emergency Response Exercise (Cerex) not because the city is threatened but to prepare the police in possible terror attacks.
The scenario involved a fleeing bomb suspect and the actual clearing of suspected Improvise Explosive Device (IED). It tested the coordination and alertness of the responding personnel on how to successfully arrest the perpetrator.
The second scenario was meant to test the capability and knowledge of the personnel in securing the scene to avoid possible injury or fatality should there be an explosion.
Members of the Explosive Ordnance Division (EOD) had managed the clearing of suspected IED thru the conduct of Render Safe Procedure (RSP).
But prior to the activity, a table tap exercise was first conducted to refresh the personnel on individual tasking and responsibility.
"By this exercise, we can truly assess our capability and we can adjust what's next thing to do to make our units ready and prepared for these scenario," Aganon said.
"The exercise had notable lapses to be corrected in order to nearly perfect our response on these scenario before we will involve other concern agencies to work with us," he added.
The city police office assured the public that it is doing its best to protect the city against possible terrorist attacks, criminality and insurgency especially that lawless elements have recently caused violence in nearby regions.
Hortillosa reiterated the participation of the community in maintaining peace and order by staying vigilant and by reporting to authorities suspicious personalities and activities through the hotline 0936-401-7888/0917-771-3663.