DAVAO City Acting Mayor Sebastian Duterte lauded the security cluster for their efforts in securing the city, which had resulted in the city recording zero terrorism-related incidents for the past five years.
Duterte was the guest speaker during the 19th founding anniversary of the Task Force Davao (TF Davao) on Friday, April 22, when he commended the task force for its service.
"The city has recorded zero terrorism-related incidents in the last five years... I cannot imagine what Davao City would be like today without the Task Force Davao," the acting mayor said.
The city's last recorded terrorism incident was on September 2, 2016 at the Roxas Night Market wherein 16 people were killed by a bomb blast. Seven suspects in the deadly blast were found guilty of multiple murder and multiple attempted murder and were sentenced to reclusion perpetua on September 28.
Meanwhile, Duterte said he and the Dabawenyos feel confident in roaming around the city due to the presence of the Task Force.
Duterte attributed the city's Culture of Security program to battling terrorism and other security threats.
"Davao City's culture of security is a testament to the success of the whole cooperation," he said.
He added the task force, along with other members of the security cluster, played a vital role in "sustaining the growth of the city."
"Davao City takes pride in its peace and order mechanism which helped support local economy," Duterte said.
"We hope that a lot more people 2ill come here to invest, both local and foreign," Duterte added.
In addition, "Your campaign towards the safety of the city will allow our citizens to live peacefully and businesses to thrive in our communities."
Duterte also lauded the city cluster after the Joint 10th Infantry Division (10ID), Philippine Army (PA), and Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-Davao) declaration that the city inches closer to becoming an insurgency-free city as guerilla front groups such as the New People's Army were officially declared as dismantled.
Despite the zero terrorism cases, Duterte said there is no room for complacency considering that some parts of Davao Region are still having cases of security threats.
"Terrorist attacks are something you cannot even predict. Mao nakalisod sa atong lugar. But that is consequential because of our regional political situation," the acting mayor said.
Also present during the event are Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia and 10th Infantry “Agila” Division Commander Major General Nolasco Mempin.
Comia thanked all stakeholders for supporting the rask force in its operational accomplishments.
"Rest assured that all gains will be sustained, and hopefully we could add up on the legacies that you and the Task Force Davao imparted to Davao City," he said.
TF Davao was created on April 16, 2003, in response to a series of bombings in the city in the same year such as the Old Davao International Airport bombing and Sasa Wharf Bombing.