THE security cluster fully supports Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on the lifting of martial law in the city.
On Tuesday, the 19th Davao City Council approved a resolution for the lifting of the martial law implementation in the city, filed by committee on peace and public safety chair Councilor Mabel Acosta.
The resolution was filed under suspended rules requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to exempt the city from the implementation.
Civil-Military Operation (CMO) of the 10th Infantry Division (ID) Captain Roberto Escalona said yesterday during the AFP-PNP press forum that they support the initiative of the city government, however, they will still adhere to whatever the decision of the national headquarters on the matter.
“But rest assured that we will not let our guards down, so we will always be on alert,” Escalona said, adding that even without the military rule, their security measures remain on high alert level.
“So far naman dito sa Davao Region, ang peace and order medyo stable naman ta. So upon the request of Davao City, mao gani musunod lang mi unsay mando sa amoa but we will support the action of the city (We will just enforce any directive given us),” he said.
In their area of operation, he said they have not noted any martial-law related human rights violation committed by their personnel.
Escalona said military abuses claims by militant groups were merely allegations since none of those were proven true, adding that they will not tolerate abuses committed from any of their people.
For his part, Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao spokesperson Police Major Jason Baria said their office has also already signified their support to the decision of Duterte-Carpio on exempting Davao City because of the city’s improved peace condition. The move also seeks to attract more investors to do business in the city without security apprehension.
The decline of crime rate could also be attributed to the series of programs and capability enhancement that the police office has acquired like the acquisition of new equipment and training for policemen.