AMID the public’s furor on the “No backpack policy,” Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged Dabawenyos to make adjustments for this policy instead of complaining as it is only meant to protect the general welfare.
“There is a regulation. The churches and mosque and other denomination agree with it. It is for the good of everybody and we just all need to adjust gamay (a little),” Duterte-Carpio said Friday, February 8.
Duterte has ordered the imposition of no backpack policy following the deadly twin explosions at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that killed more than 20 people and wounded almost a hundred.
“For me is, we discourage it but our churches and our mosque took a step further. Gibawal gyud nila. We only support kung unsa tong mas mayo actually, so we only support kung unsa tong direction sa atoang mga parishes,” Duterte-Carpio added.
The mayor said that the city government of Davao along with Task Force Davao and Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will support this security measure so that there would be no opportunity for lawless elements to sow terror in places of worship.
Earlier, the Archdiocese of Davao issued an advisory on January 29, stating that churchgoers are not allowed to bring backpacks, knapsacks, and carton boxes to churches that might be used to conceal explosives.
Authorities had further limit the policy to small purses and wallets.
“Ongoing na siya hangtod maanad ang tao nga susi ug kwarta ug cellphone na lang ang dalhon [This will be implemented until churchgoers will get used to only bringing key, money and cellphone inside the church],” she said.
So in order to avoid convenience during inspection, churchgoers must adjust and heed the policy. (JCR)