TASK Force Davao (TFD) reminded Catholic churchgoers to avoid bringing backpacks, non-transparent water containers, and wearing jackets on Sunday masses in this time of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
TFD commander Col. Consolito Yecla said people entering churches with their face masks on can be quite challenging in ensuring their safety and security but they will not be required to take it off.
He said by not bringing or wearing the prohibited items, health protocols will not be sacrificed.
“Ayaw namin sa security sector na iinsist na i-violate yung health protocols just to ensure security. Ibig sabihin, kahit sampung patong yung face mask nya, okay lang sa amin sa security, as long as malinis sya o wala syang mag dala ng mga bagay na hindi natin gustong dalhin nila (We do not want them to violate the health protocols just to ensure security. They can wear as many face masks as they can as long as they do not bring prohibited items),” he said.
As masses resumed following the declaration of the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) in Davao City, he said TFD has beefed up its security measures in churches.
Yecla bared that based on their meeting, the association of barangay captains will assign two barangay tanods to man the security of the church in their village and another support from a nearby barangay.
He said 50 percent of all the Philippine National Police (PNP) and TFD personnel will be deployed in major churches on weekends since they still needed to secure other places of convergence such as public markets.
He also urged churches to hire blue guards or activate its Parish Disaster Action Response Team (PDART) to augment the security forces.
The PDART is a volunteer group composed of security officers of the Catholic churches tasked to oversee the church surroundings. It was formed during the launch of the city’s anti-terror campaign last week.
“At least, naa gyud silay blue guards na mahire. Yung wala pang PDART, dapat mag organize yung ibang simbahan para may mga volunteer groups na tutulong sa pag secure ng ating mga simbahan (They must at least hire blue guards or organize their volunteers to secure our churches),” he said.
He said they are also set to coordinate with other religious organizations to plan out security protocols. (RGL)