MORE than three years after the bombing incident that rocked the popular night market in Davao City on September 2, 2016 and killed at least 15 people, including a pregnant woman, and injured 69 others, the security landscape in Davao City has never been the same.
Following the incident, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio has been clear with her directive to every new commander of Task Force Davao (TFD) -- to never let the explosion from happening again.
TFD commander Colonel Consolito Yecla is determined to have zero bombing incidents in the city under his watch with the series of anti-terrorism forum conducted and several security measures implemented on the ground.
"Roxas Night Market now serves as the gauge in determining the strength of security measures implemented in the city. Everyone, including the terrorists, knows that it operates every night and that we have to secure it tight every night. If we lower down our guards, the terrorist will have the opportunity to plan and execute their plan," Yecla said.
Roxas Night Market bombing has been their basis in crafting initiatives such as engagement with the vendors and massage therapists in their anti-terror efforts, declaration of Maximum Security Zone of the area to ensure that all platforms of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attacks be checked thoroughly to prevent a similar incident.
Prior to the pronouncement of the non-extension of martial law in Mindanao, TFD has already stepped up measures to secure the city by encouraging the cooperation of the public to practice the culture of security.
Also, the series of blasts in neighboring provinces, including in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao, and Sulu, led them to further strengthen their security system especially in their three fixed checkpoints in Lasang, Calinan, and Toril.
"In the message of the mayor during the third year of remembering the bombing, she emphasized the cooperation of the Dabawenyos to practice the culture of security. She reminded them the effect of the bombing on the lives of the people. So I believe that if we want to see if Dabawenyos now consider security as their lifestyle," Yecla added.
By saying the culture of security, Dabawenyos must have the initiative to subject themselves to inspection. When visiting the night market, Dabawenyos must volunteer in subjecting themselves to inspection and observe guidelines such as the non-bringing of non-transparent items and backpacks as well as non-wearing of jackets upon entering.
The blast may have rocked the spirits of Dabawenyos but in the end the city remained resilient and strengthened its security.