THE Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) said the City Government of Davao has requested the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in all churches and other places of worship to help ensure the safety of the churchgoers, especially during the observance of the Holy Week.
PSSCC head Benito De Leon said Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio recently sent a letter to the Archdiocese of Davao to request for the installation of CCTV cameras inside and outside the parishes.
"As of now, not everyone has installed yet. We hope everyone will comply," De Leon said Thursday, April 4, said during the iSpeak media forum at the City Hall of Davao.
The city has been strictly implementing security measures in places of worship following the twin blasts at the Jolo Cathedral last January 27, 2019, which killed 22 law enforcers and civilians. Over 100 people were also hurt.
A week after the bombing, Duterte-Carpio ordered the banning of backpacks, big bags, and bulky plastic bags inside all churches and other places of worship.
De Leon said the request is focused mainly on Catholic churches as they have a large number of devotees.
However, he said they will extend the request to other religious sectors.
Meanwhile, PSSCC said that this year's Oplan Holy Week will deploy some 1,700 security auxiliaries, including police, military, traffic enforcers and emergency staff, which will cover 38 churches and parishes throughout the city.