THE "no backpack" policy in places of worship in Davao City has sparked concerns, especially on its impact on mothers who bring their infants to Mass.
Councilor Maria Belen Acosta, committee chair of the peace and order and public safety, said in a phone interview Wednesday, January 30, that some churchgoers like those with infants may need to bring bigger bags and this should be taken into consideration.
“Kung yung may dala ng bag is may baby, maybe the military should just make sure na within your line of vision parati na hindi siya magamit for other purposes aside from the purpose lang ng baby kasi baka masalisihan ng ibang may masamang intention (If the one bringing the bag has a baby, the military should make sure that within his line of vision the bag should not be used for any other purposes or be taken advantage by some who has bad intention),” Acosta said.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the no backpack policy should be implemented in worship areas and all security units operating in Davao City must review their security plans for the city.
She assured, however, that the city is not on lockdown and that businessmen and investors must not worry about conducting business in the city.
“We are already on martial law. It will be very bad for the economy if we will have the city locked down,” Duterte-Carpio said in an interview during the 51st Annual Installation of Officers and Board of Trustees of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) at the Marco Polo Hotel on Tuesday.
Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) chief Benito de Leon said the backpacks or large bags of individuals carrying infants will not be allowed.
"Not allowed yan as per Archdiocese of Davao. Parang more than 200ml liquids yan papasok ng eroplano, bawal. Kailngan iwan, kahit kailangan mo pa otherwise wag sumakay. If the advisory is out, let's just follow to avoid inconvenience," he said in a text message to SunStar Davao Wednesday.
De Leon said the police and military are coordinating with church officials so that they can also inspect the baggage and people entering the church premises.
“The Mass will continue as is. Hindi man ito i-disturb kaya ang checking should be done before,” De Leon added.
Following the recent bombing in Jolo, Sulu, Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday, January 29, ordered the police and the military to strictly inspect backpacks and large bags to ensure security in church premises.
On Tuesday, The Archdiocese of Davao issued an advisory on the no backpack policy in all Catholic churches in the city.
"Brothers and sisters, due to the current peace and order situation vis-a-vis threat of violence, please be informed that starting today (January 29), for all churchgoers, it is not allowed to bring your bags, backpacks, knapsacks, boxes, cartons and the like into church. Only small purse and the like are allowed,” Archbishop of Davao Romulo G. Valles said in a statement.
For her part, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan said they have been on full alert status since the Davao Region Athletic Association Meet started.
“Wala namang direct threat ang (There is no direct threat on) Davao City. However, with what happened sa (in) Jolo, Sulu, it becomes an eye opener. We have to level up our security measures although talagang full alert status naman tayo since nag start ang Davraa (we have been on full alert since Davraa),” Gaspan said during the AFP-PNP press corps on Wednesday at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
She said coordination with the church leaders has been going on informing them on the new policy to prevent terror attacks in churches.
“In the event na merong talagang mag dala ng backpack, it should undergo thorough inspection,” Gaspan said.
Gaspan added that part of their proposal for churches is to have one entrance where churchgoers will be submitting themselves to undergo extensive inspection before going in at the same time one exit.
During masses, apart from the security outside manning the traffic and entrance, they will also be deploying undercover operatives inside the churches to monitor the situation inside should there be suspicious actions.