THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) described the week-long celebration of the 30th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival as generally peaceful.
DCPO spokesperson Chief Inspector Milgrace Driz attributed this to the relentless efforts of different law enforcement agencies to maintain peace and order during the festivities, particularly during the Indak-indak sa Kadalanan last Saturday and the Pamulak or the Floral Float Parade Sunday.
"We are thankful for the cooperation of the public in terms of the city ordinances that we are implementing like the liquor ban, speed limit, and the anti-smoking ban," Driz said Sunday.
But Driz said shooting incidents were reported in the city over the past three days, but they were "isolated cases."
"Most sa ating natatanggap na mga reports are more on snatching incidents sa mga activity areas. But naaksyunan naman agad ng ating kapulisan at nahuli agad ang mga suspects (Most of the cases reported to us were snatching incidents in some activity areas, but the police have acted on them immediately and the suspects were arrested)," Driz said.
She also clarified that there are still areas that need improvement for the police force, although the celebration was peaceful.
"We are looking to use motorcycle for our police personnel for a faster response in reported incidents especially in big events like Araw ng Daaw and Kadayawan," she added.
At least 3,000 security forces were deployed in the city, including augmentation from the Regional Public Safety Battalion of the Police Regional Office, Task Force Davao, Barangay Peace and Order Unit, and DCPO. (KR)