TO ensure the capabilities and readiness of Davao City’s security cluster, another simulation exercise (Simex) will be conducted before the end of November.
“This will also strengthen 'yong tinatawag nating operational interoperability in counter-terrorism operations of course through the conduct of joint exercises,” Col. Darren Comia, Commander Task Force Davao (TF-Davao), said in an interview on the Davao City Disaster Radio on November 22, 2022.
Comia said they conduct a simulation exercise every quarter, but unlike the previous activity, the time, date, and location of the exercise were not announced. He said the simex this quarter is like random incidents of terrorism.
“Gusto lang natin dito is ma-test talaga yong capability ng ating mga safety and security forces na kung saan yong naunang simulation exercise ‘yon ‘yong magiging reference (What we want to achieve here is determine the capability of our security forces compared to the previous simex as our references),” he said. Comia added that the security forces need to acquire muscle memory.
In the previous simex conducted in September 2022, a rating of 7.5 out of 10 was given by Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) Head, Angel Sumagaysay. He said there are still practices that need to be corrected like the communication between security units.
He said there were communication difficulties between the team leader and those on the ground. He said the Incident Management Team (IMT) needs to remain calm and collected during the operation so that information will be cascaded properly to the Emergency Operator Center.
Despite the setbacks, Sumagaysay said the previous simex conducted at the Davao City National High School was successful, and even the simex in March 2022. KSD