ROXAS Night Market tenants are now obliged to comply with the anti-terrorism seminars of the Task Force Davao as part of its measures since the area is now declared as a maximum security zone.
Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said more than 400 night market vendors attended the seminar, as part of its measure to inculcate the "culture of security" among the vendors and business owners who would also serve as eyes and ears on the ground.
"This is the first time na nagkaroon ng compulsory training sa mga renters at makaka-occupy sa place. 'Di sila makakapag-operate kapag wala silang certificate coming from Task Force Davao, signifying na naka-attend sila sa anti-terrorism seminar (This is the first time that we had a compulsory training to all renters and occupants of the place. They will not be allowed to operate without the certificate coming from Task Force Davao, signifying they had attended the anti-terrorism seminar)," Yecla said Thursday, October 3, during the iSpeak press conference at the City Hall of Davao.
Two weeks ago, the 19th City Council passed a resolution, declaring the night market as a maximum security zone, wherein the area would be controlled through an entry point and monitored 24/7 by security forces.
Yecla said tighter security measures will also be permanently implemented, such as the no backpack and no jacket policies.
In early August, the San Pedro Square was the first public venue in the city that was declared under the maximum security zone. The area is the site of major events such as the Araw ng Dabaw, Kadayawan Festival, and Pasko Fiesta.
Aside from the vendors, trisikad (three-wheeled vehicle) drivers, push cart boys, [and] security guards of the establishments operating in the area will also be mandated to attend the seminar.
"The advantage of declaring Roxas Night Market as a maximum security zone is that we have a basis for extensive security operations," Yecla said.
It can be recalled that Roxas Night Market was the site of the bomb explosion on September 2, 2016 that killed 15 persons and injured 69 others.
Task Force Davao also conducted an anti-terrorism forum to mall workers, including 180 security guards of two malls in the city to further strengthen its anti-terrorism campaign.