DAVAO City is currently on full alert status for the upcoming midterm election with the send-off ceremony of security personnel Monday, May 6.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Alexander Tagum urged the policemen Monday to be alert during the upcoming 2019 midterm polls on May 23 to prevent untoward incidents that may arise in polling centers.
"Paparating na midterm and national, local election 2019. As the guardians of our city, we are again expected to deliver a secure, safe, and credible national and local election in our beloved city of Davao," he said.
"I enjoin everyone to once again deliver our very best and once again sacrifice our precious time and deliver our mandate to ensure that there will be peace this coming national and local election," Tagum said.
“As per the guidance of our very own regional director, we expect zero incidence within our city,” he added.
Tagum, meanwhile, reminded the cops to follow the policies and guidelines set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on May 13.
Although there have been no direct threats in the city, he said they will not lower their guards and will be ready for any incident.
“Everyone must give their best foot forward and I would like to assure you that I will be there with you during that special event. I, together with my command group, will go around the city to personally see that we are on full alert and that we are securing all polling places within the city of Davao,” he said.
He also encouraged them to communicate issues or problems they would encounter during the election to their respective officers.
"Let us secure our city streets, our polling places and all the people around us because for as long as we have this strong partnership with our partners from the security forces, from our military counterparts the Task Force Davao, 1003rd Infantry Brigade, the Coast Guard and force multiplier from CTTMO, CSU, Police Auxiliary then we can do it," he said.
Task Force Davao (TFD) commander Colonel Consolito Yecla, for his part, directed his personnel to work hand in hand with their counterparts in the Philippine National Police (PNP) to achieve their collective mission of a peaceful, fair and secure election as the public exercise their democratic right as well as ensuring their safety.
“Sa lahat ng miyembro ng Task Force Davao, let’s be guided by our AFP leadership. Ang pinaka-una dito is for us to remain non-partisan and let’s not be swayed by politicians to give you support, to do our duty religiously so that our people will maintain their trust and confidence in the uniformed service,” Yecla said.
Meanwhile, Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) deputy head Angel Sumagaysay, on behalf of the City Government, thanked the uniformed forces for the successful security coverage of the 2019 Palarong Pambansa.
“On the part of the City Government, again, we are relying on you na at the end of the day, ang election nato, peaceful, fair and honest election. Nakita na namo ni sa Davao City, medyo wala natay problema,” Sumagaysay said.
He said there is still a problem in the hinterlands, but the 1003rd Infantry Brigade and DCPO pushed the rebels away.
The perennial problem they are currently facing is the mode of transportation for the machine and ballots. He assured though that they will address it.