BARELY two weeks before the Holy Week, security forces and law enforcers are gearing up their security measures to ensure the safety of the public especially the faithfuls who will be visiting churches and other pilgrimage sites in Davao City.
Expecting the influx of visitors who will be visiting Catholic churches in the city, Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Police Captain Ma. Teresita Gaspan said on Wednesday, April 3, that they have already crafted a security plan to ensure a peaceful and solemn observance of the Holy Week.
“Templated na [yong security plan], yearly naman natin ginagawa ‘yon. So actually ready na ang security plan natin, lahat ng places of convergence meron tayong naka-deploy na mga police and other counterparts also from the Task Force Davao, from the AFP and other security forces,” Gaspan said during the AFP-PNP press briefing.
They will also deploy personnel in terminals, seaports, airports, malls, public markets and tourist spots.
Gaspan advised those who plan to take their vacation to refrain from posting their whereabouts on social media to prevent from being victimized by criminals.
She also advised to leave somebody at home to secure the house or entrust it to a trusted neighbor during their absence.
Newly-installed Task Force Davao (TFD) Commander Consolito Yecla, for his part, said that maximum deployment of his troops will be implemented especially during the observance of the Holy Week in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.
“Starting April 14, we will be intensifying the security in churches. Naka-template naman ‘yong ating pag-secure ng mga simbahan but pagdating ng Holy Week, mas marami kaming ide-deploy, mas intensified ang ating deployment lalo na dito sa Shrine Hills,” Yecla said.
Meanwhile, Land Transportation Office (LTO) Law Enforcement Unit chief Benjamin Antonio Jr. said that they will conduct their yearly campaign to ensure that drivers are in good shape when traveling.
“As usual, we will have Oplan Semana Santa. The rule of LTO is to check on the road safety of public utility vehicles. We will go to terminals, we will conduct surprise inspection then whoever will be found to be not road worthy then automatic they will be replaced,” Antonio said.
They also planned to visit garage of different taxis to check on their road worthiness instead of checking them on the streets to lessen the hassle.
Meanwhile, he also warned the commuters to avoid patronizing colorum vehicles as these do not have insurance, thus, they could not claim any financial assistance when they meet an accident.