Davao on heightened alert after Isulan blast

THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has placed all units and police stations on heightened alert following the latest bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat that wounded 18 persons.

DCPO Chief Alexander Tagum, in an official statement, said they made a border control support with Task Force Davao and 24/7 mobile checkpoint operations especially focused in the southern part of Davao Region.

“Our Oplan: IRON City Master Plan and Security Program is ongoing and it has been proven effective deterrent against terrorist and criminals in the city. However, there is no known full proof defense against a determined terrorist attack,” Tagum said in a statement Thursday, April 4.

“That's why I constantly call on our people's support and cooperation to report any untoward incident or suspicious persons or object to the nearest police station for our immediate intervention,” he added.

While there have been exchanges with other intelligence units and monitoring of all possible terrorist entry points and local safe havens, different law enforcement agencies and security forces are also maintaining their coordination.

“Intensive police presence and visibility patrols are maintained by the patrol personnel of DCPO in close coordination with TF Davao [and] checking of all vehicles passing through checkpoints will be intensified,” he said.

He urged motorists to cooperate for the security and safety of the people.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal/K9 Group (EOD-K9) will be on standby round the clock to respond to any possible presence of suspicious items or packages.

The DCPO is closely coordinating with city deputy mayors and barangay officials.

“[This is] to empower them to harness the support of force multipliers and enhance info gathering,” Tagum said.

Eighteen individuals, including six minors and a pregnant woman, were wounded when an improvised explosive device (IED) went off in front of a restaurant along the national highway of Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Wednesday afternoon, April 3.

Read: 18 wounded in Sultan Kudarat bombing

In 2018, five people were killed in two bombing incidents in a span of five days in Isulan.

On August 28, 2019, three people were killed when an IED exploded in front of a used clothing store along the highway. On September 2, 2018, two teenagers died after an IED went off in an internet cafe.

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