THE first community exercise on Culture of Security of the City Government of Davao was deemed successful, according to its organizers, as they were able to get the public's cooperation without panicking and did not result in traffic jams, as previously feared by the public.
Task Force (TF) Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla told SunStar Davao in a text message that the community exercise, which was conducted on Wednesday, October 14, aimed at evaluating the cooperation of Dabawenyos in reporting suspicious persons.
Yecla said it was the first time they involved the public in the city's anti-terrorism simulation exercise.
In the scenario, the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) through the Central 911 announced through radio stations and other means of communication the presence of 25 persons disguising as terrorists. Each establishment, both private and government, church, hotel and inn, restaurant, and mall, had five "terrorists."
He said the anti-terror exercise was, by far, their biggest coverage as of yet.
Yecla said they had monitored radio and TV stations throughout the exercise, while two major TV stations had covered the event with their coverage on their social media accounts. More than 10 radio stations announced the description of the terrorists in their program.
The City Government had also posted on its Facebook page updates on the anti-terror exercise.
The first three terrorists were spotted and neutralized at three separate malls around 10 a.m.
The community exercise was terminated by TF Davao and PSSCC at 3 p.m. after all terrorists were neutralized through reports made by Dabawenyos.
Yecla said he appreciated the support of Dabawenyos in the exercise, which is part of the city government's continued campaign on the Culture of Security.
"Although there were few establishments that were not able to neutralize the assumed terrorists, the rating is still very high considering that it was the first community exercise," Yecla said in a text message.
"Also, because most of the actors disguised as terrorists were reported and neutralized by ordinary employees like janitors, clerks and front desk personnel, we can safely say that there is a community participation in the exercise," Yecla added.
He said, however, that based on TF Davao's assessment, they observed that some establishments failed to neutralize the assigned target. He said the management failed to disseminate or tap the employees for the exercise.
But Yecla also said this can be addressed through creation of "group chat" for immediate dissemination of safety and security concerns.
Prior to the event, the City Government formally launched and announced the conduct of the community exercise on October 8. The specific date of the exercise was not announced to test the public's involvement and vigilance.
However, some Dabawenyos expressed concern that the event might cause panic or traffic jams. The City Government, however, already issued an advisory urging the public to cooperate and remain calm.
Previously, the City Government, in coordination with law enforcement agencies, conducted a bomb drill activity in Davao City along Roxas Avenue on the morning of September 16 and it caused heavy traffic in some portions of the city.
Yecla said they had considered this in their planning.
But he said, "We took the risks of creating panic and traffic jam because we cannot just sit down and wait for the terrorists to attack when we are not prepared. These are the most significant concerns we considered in planning."
This was the reason they informed the public a week before the security exercise to set the public's expectation on what will happen during that day.
Yecla said TF Davao also coordinated with almost 200 establishments in the city that might be affected by the exercise. A pilot testing was also conducted targeting the City Hall and City Council building.
Aside from that, a standard form of dissemination was developed and protocol for the releasing of announcement was established with the mayor as the approving authority.
PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay, meanwhile, said in a separate phone interview that the City organized the activity amid the pandemic since terrorist activities may happen even in the time of a health crisis.
Sumagaysay said the implementation of the health protocols was also ensured in the conduct of the community exercise.
Even the acting terrorists were also given security in the event of untoward incidents that might happen during the activity.