AS DABAWENYOS are mandated to wear face masks when they go outside as part of the "new normal," Davao City's security sector admits this has brought a new challenge for them in strengthening the security amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said on Wednesday, July 1, during the launch of the "May Nakita? Dapat Magsalita!" campaign, he had never ordered checkpoint personnel to require entering individuals to remove their face masks.
He said aside from ensuring the city's security, they are also mandated to check whether individuals entering the city are following proper protocols, in coordination with the City Health Office, on checkpoints.
"While we cannot determine their faces since we do not recommend the removal of face masks [at checkpoints], idaan nalang natin sa masinsinang screening (we'll just let them undergo thorough screening)," he said.
He added passengers must undergo metal detector screenings while their baggage is scanned through x-ray baggage machines.
Yecla also said passengers are still required to remove their caps and jacket upon inspection.
He assured the safety of the public will not be compromised despite the slight changes in the security protocol.
Meanwhile, the City Government formally launched "May Nakita? Dapat Magsalita!" a "culture of security" campaign that encourages Dabawenyos to adopt vigilance as part of their way of life.
The campaign was rolled out online on Wednesday by the City Government and the Task Force Davao, following the issuance of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio's Executive Order 41, an Order Encouraging Dabawenyos to Adopt the Culture of Security as Part of their Way of Life.
He said the initiative is aimed at strengthening the peace and order and prevent all acts of terrorism in Davao City wherein all Dabawenyos are encouraged to practice the four acts of the culture of security -- volunteer, report, remind, and participate.
The campaign also emphasizes vigilance and for the public to report suspicious individuals and activities immediately to the security units.
Duterte-Carpio, who was present during the online launching, said while the campaign has nothing to do with the city's Covid-19 response, she emphasized that there is a need to be vigilant amid the pandemic as terrorism does not select time nor situation.
"Even if naa gihapo'y pandemic, kinahanglan gihapon magpadayon atong laing trabaho (Even with the pandemic, there is a need to continue our other responsibilities) which is peace and order, and security in the city," Duterte-Carpio said.
The mayor also reminded Dabawenyos that they have a share of responsibility in ensuring the safety of the community.
"We, too, must do our part. It is important that we buy-in into the activities, and the functions and the responsibilities and kung unsa tong kinahanglan nga buhaton na trabaho sa Task Force Davao, because kita ang nagpanag-iya sa atong siyudad so we should be interested in its peace and order, and security (We, too, must do our part. It is important that we buy-in into the activities, the functions, and the responsibilities and work of the Task Force Davao because this is our city, we should be interested in its peace and order, and security,)" the mayor said.
She urged them to report even the smallest pieces of information to the authorities.
"There is no information that is not important. We treat all information as important. We still need to report it, and let our security group decide if this information is harmless," Duterte-Carpio said.