THE Provincial Government of Davao del Sur has reimposed a curfew in the entire province from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m effective Thursday, April 28 until May 15 to control the possible election-related violence.
Governor Marc Douglas Cagas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 24 or "An Order Enforcing Curfew and Regulating Other Activities Until May 15, 2022."
"In addition to Covid-19-related problems, there is a need to immediately control the spate of threats and violence to preserve the peace and protect the lives and liberty of the people in the province," Cagas said in the EO.
He added that there is a need to intensify "anti-terrorism and anti-criminality surveilance" in some parts in the province based on intelligence reports.
"There is a need to support the Davao del Sur Provincial Police Office in their anti-criminality effort to weed out lawless elements and prevent the latter from inflicting harm on the peace-loving people of Davao del Sur," the governor said.
The EO said only essential workers whose duty is during the curfew hours, medical frontliners, those from the public utility companies, agricultural and non-agri cargo, travelers going out or passing through the city, and patients going to and from the hospitals will be exempted.
All establishments, except for hospitals, pharmacies and those enumerated under curfew ordinance shall be closed from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Hotels, motels, inns and similar establishments must register all their incoming guests daily.
All motorists will be required to present valid identification card and remove their helmets or roll down their windows for visual inspection in all checkpoints.
Cagas said in a Facebook post on April 17 that there is an alleged presence of hired “500 guns for hire” being deployed in the province to disrupt the upcoming 2022 elections.
The governor said while the information is still subject for verification, they are taking it seriously because some of the hired men are already in Kiblawan.
"The plan is to distribute them in all the municipalities and city. Such is no longer an election offense, but a crime against the State, sedition, for it can undermine democracy," Cagas said.
Police Regional Office (PRO)-Davao Director Benjamin Silo said in a forwarded statement that they are investigating and validating the governor's report.
"Rest assured that PRO 11 (Davao Region), through Davao Del Sur PPO (Police Provincial Office) will strengthen the provision of security to ensure the safety of all the candidates and the people in Davao Del Sur to freely exercise their rights in relation to the NLE (National and Local Elections) 2022," Silo said.
PRO-Davao recently placed the municipalities of Davao del Sur, namely, Sta. Cruz, Matanao, Magsaysay, Malalag, Hagonoy, and Padada, in the 16 election hotspots in Davao Region. These are considered areas of concern for the election season.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday afternoon, April 27, Barangay San Jose, Digos City captain Lito Balasbas was shot dead by a still unknown assailant inside the barangay hall.
Authorities are still investigating the suspect behind the shooting.