SECURITY officials are not recommending additional “maximum security zone” area in Davao City anytime soon.
“We are also looking for other areas, but ayaw kasi nating mangyari na mag declare tayo (we are avoiding that we are imposing or declaring something) and we cannot implement it,” Task Force Davao commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said on Thursday, August 15, when asked if Roxas Avenue, particularly the Roxas Night Market, is qualified to be declared under the maximum security zone.
Task Force (TF)-Davao was one of the security forces who recommended for the declaration of San Pedro Square as a maximum security zone to ensure the safety of the public against threats.
The Davao City Council passed on August 6 a resolution declaring San Pedro Square as a maximum security zone, an area to which access is controlled through an entry point and limited to authorized, appropriately screened personnel and authorized and properly escorted visitors, and monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week by peace-keeping forces.
Yecla said during the iSpeak media forum at the City Hall of Davao, the implementation “will be put to a test” as the city is currently celebrating the 34th Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival.
Two of the festival’s highlight events will be held at the area: Indak Indak sa Kadayawan on August 17 and Pamulak floral float parade on August 24.
Yecla said they are experiencing difficulties in inspecting the area, particularly on parking spaces.
“We have to inspect the cars and the motorcycles parked within the square, to ensure that there will be no vehicle with IED (improvised explosive device),” he said.
He said TF-Davao is coordinating with the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO) for a designation of parking areas, specifically for the motorcycles.
Yecla said his men are already having an inventory of all motorcycles owned by the city government employees to determine the owner’s background.
Under the security zone, parking within the area will be regulated. Non-transparent garbage bins will also be banned to ensure explosive devices will not be placed in these items.
Earlier policies, such as the No Backpack Policy and No Jacket Policy will strictly be enforced.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Police Colonel Alexander Tagum, meanwhile, said they had already considered Roxas Avenue as a maximum security force.
“Six months ago, we considered Roxas Avenue as a maximum security zone. That is why we established a sub-station with two officers and a minimum of 50 personnel fixed deployed there,” Tagum said.
He also said the people within the market were also trained to serve as “eyes and ears” on any suspicious act.
Meanwhile, Tagum said they are strictly implementing the “Culture of Security”, wherein the public to “volunteer, report, remind, and participate” in securing the city, especially during the Kadayawan celebration. (RGL)