Mayor urges Dabawenyos to be vigilant

A DAY after the explosion in Jolo, Sulu, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio urged Dabawenyos to remain vigilant as the city is not "immune" from the terroristic activities.

Duterte-Carpio, during her radio interview on Tuesday, August 25, expressed her sympathy to those affected in the bombing incident.

"We express our sympathies sa mga taga-Jolo. Kami ay nakikiisa sa pinagdadanan ninyo (We are one with you in mourning), and we would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of those who died -- who were casualties sa bombing (in the bombing)," the mayor said.

"We hope kadtong mga wounded, they would get well and feel better soon," the mayor added.

Duterte-Carpio also reminded that the city will be commemorating, days from now, the fourth anniversary of the Roxas Night Market bombing.

The Roxas bombing on September, 2, 2016, killed 15 individuals, and injured 70.

"Kung dili ta mag matngon, kung dili ta maghatag og importance, ug dili ta magpakita og care sa atoang syudad ug isig katawo, atong mga kaubang Dabawenyo diri sa Davao City, mahitabo gyud na sa atoa (If we will not be vigilant, and give importance and care to our city and fellow citizens and Dabawenyos, expect that we will also experience the same incident)," Duterte-Carpio said.

The mayor said Dabawenyos should "be an active partner of the city's Culture of Security campaign," emphasizing the role of the Dabawenyos in anti-terror activities of the city.

Public Security and Safety Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said Davao City is on alert status level 3 per the recommendation of the Davao City Anti-Terror Council.

"We have coordinated with the different security clusters to strengthen our security measures," Sumagaysay said on Monday, August 24.

Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said in a text message to SunStar Davao that while they have not yet received any information of direct threat in the city following the Jolo bombing, tight security measures must be imposed to prevent any untoward incidents from entering the city.

Yecla said three-border control checkpoint areas were strengthened. Also airports, seaports, and land terminals are also under strict checkpoint.

He also said motorcycles are prohibited from parking within the vicinity of Davao City Hall and other areas declared as Maximum Security Zones, and in all engagement areas.

"While we do not have a direct terrorist threat in Davao City, we should never lower our guards against terrorists. We advise the Dabawenyos not to panic. Instead, we should always maintain our level of vigilance and support our security measures even in the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic," Yecla said.

As of Monday evening, August 24, 14 people died and 75 were wounded from the two explosions that rocked Jolo, Sulu.

Those killed were seven Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel, one PNP Special Action Force (SAF) personnel and six civilians.

The wounded included 21 AFP personnel, 48 civilians, three policemen and three SAF men. (With reports from CIO and SunStar Philippines)