DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio challenged the new Task Force Davao (TFD) commander to sustain the prevailing security measures in the city and keep the city safe from any terrorist attack.
Duterte-Carpio, who graced the Change of Command ceremony at the Sta. Ana Pier in Davao City Thursday, March 28, congratulated the new TFD commander, Colonel Consolito Yecla, as he assumed the post.
She said she was given four names of qualified security officers who can lead the task force but Yecla, who was raised in Cotabato, caught her attention because she knows that being a Mindanaoan, he already has a first-hand experience on the security landscape in the city.
“Nakita ko na you were from Cotabato, there was no contest already na you are the choice for the next Task Force Davao commander because you would understand how it is na hindi makatulog dahil merong mangyayari. At paggising mo, iisipin mo ito na ba ang araw na merong mangyayari?,” the mayor said.
Duterte-Carpio likewise commended outgoing TFD commander Colonel Nolasco Mempin for his stint as the head of the TFD. She also gave him a perfect 10 for his performance considering that there was no terrorist attack that took place in the city during his term because of the stringent security measures.
“Naisip ko kanina there are only two numbers, there is only one measure of the success of Task Force Davao commander that is whether or not there is a terrorist incident that happened during his term as Task Force Davao commander. It’s only zero and 10, zero because he failed and 10 because you were successful kasi walang nangyari. I’d like to congratulate Colonel Mempin for getting a 10 as Task Force Davao commander,” she said.
Aside from maintaining the security, Duterte-Carpio likewise lauded Mempin’s accomplishment in the campaign against illegal drugs. She also vowed that the city government will continue to support the TFD under the leadership of Yecla.
While he felt pressured because of the new responsibility, Yecla assured that he will do his best to continue the plans and programs of his predecessor in achieving the mandate of the city mayor of zero terroristic incidence in the city.
Having been in Davao for a month ahead of his assumption of his new role, Yecla said he has already become familiar with the system and will develop programs to further enhance the security in the city.
“I-emphasize ko sa tropa natin kaya successful ‘yong ating dating commander, and I congratulate him but sabi ko kanina, we should never rest on our laurels at siyempre ‘yong mga ginagawa natin pwede pa nating ma-improve sa nakikita ko. Maganda na siya but we should always be steps ahead pag terrorist ‘yong ating hinaharap,” Yecla said.
Yecla added he will engage various stakeholders even beyond Davao City to be their partner in promoting peace as well as boost the intelligence fusion during his stint.
He also asked for the cooperation of Dabawenyos in the campaign against terrorism, adding: “Maliban sa existing na sistema, kailangan pang mag-isip kung ano pa ang i-improve with the cooperation of Dabawenyos. Malaki ang ating pwersa, malaki ang resources when it comes to personnel and equipment, kailangan lang natin i-maximize yong potential.”