FOLLOWING the suicide bombing incident in Indanan, Sulu, the Task Force Davao (TFD) has recommended for the city to increase the penalty for illegal parking of all vehicles, including motorcycles, in crowded places as parked vehicles are now being used to carry out bomb attacks.
In a statement issued Monday, September 9, TFD recommended to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio the increase of penalty for illegal parking of vehicles to P2,000 from P500, as part of its heightened security against the series of bombing in some parts of Mindanao.
"This is to make it difficult for a terrorist to use vehicle-borne IED (improvised explosive device) in carrying out terrorism. It will also discourage the drivers/riders from indiscriminately parking their vehicles/motorcycles anywhere in crowded areas which make inspection and detection of vehicle-borne IED difficult," TFD statement read.
The TFD said if a crowded area is free from parked vehicles, suspected vehicles left by a terrorist group will be detected easily.
This developed after another IED exploded on September 8. Based on initial investigation, a soldier of 35th IB noticed a female person wearing a black Hijab walking along the road of the KM3 Highway going to the Camp of Alpha Company, 35IB (PA). When she was about to enter the gate, the duty guard took cover while warning the suspect not to enter. The woman then detonated the IED, causing her body to be blown into pieces.
The report added that there was no casualty during the incident except for the suicide bomber.
"We remind DavaoeƱos not to panic. Instead, focus on what they can contribute to help secure Davao City. Everyone should practice the culture of security. Report suspicious persons and volunteer for inspections. As a courtesy to others, we advise drivers or motorcycle riders not to park their vehicles or motorcycles in crowded areas," the TFD statement read.
To further strengthen security inspection, the TFD likewise recommended the use of curtain-type inspection cubicles similar to fitting rooms used in malls to prevent suicide bombing to be perpetrated by a person wearing Hijab and robe dress.
"The City Government has to require malls, hotels, government buildings, and other convergence areas to put up secluded with privacy and secured cubicles for inspections of hijab-wearing individuals," it added.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is validating the claim of an ISIS-inspired group that they are behind the bombing in a public market in Sultan Kudarat on Saturday, September 7, that wounded at least seven individuals.
Major Arvin Encinas, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Western Mindanao Command (AFP-Westmincom) spokesperson, said the Daulah Islamiyah Turaife Group under the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters has owned up the recent atrocity.
The AFP is also looking for extortion as the motive for the explosion based on the report from the Philippine National Police as the local government unit has received a text message from a group asking for a certain amount of money.
Encinas said they are also having a hard time determining the type of IED that was used for the explosion since there were no components recovered.