The Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), together with Davao City’s other security clusters, will conduct a Simulation Excercise (SIMEX) on Saturday, December 4 at SM Lanang Premier to strengthen the counter-terrorism strategy and further propagate the Culture of Security.
PSSCC head Angel Sumagaysay said on Wednesday that the activity is part of the city’s routine exercise to identify areas of improvement and test the readiness against terror threats. It will be participated in by the various security agencies and offices, including the Task Force Davao and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO)
“This is all about our integrated (security and safety) response on terrorism plan. We are expecting that all units will participate during the SIMEX,” Sumagaysay said. “This [activity aims] to test their operational readiness and interoperability response.”
During the SIMEX, Sumagaysay said that the security team will be responding to a mock improvised explosive device (IED) attack. The drill will gauge the interoperability of the members of the security cluster in addressing the threat.
The exercise is also timely as the Christmas holiday draws near, which is expected to attract a crowd, especially inside malls.
Although there is no direct threat to the city, he, however, said that they will not be complacent, hence, the SIMEX.
With this, the public is advised not to panic because this is only part of the city’s counter-terrorism exercises.
“This is just a simulation exercise and hopefully they would understand if there are inconveniences sa traffic,” the PSSCC chief added.
Capt. John Louie Dema-ala, the spokesperson of Task Force Davao, said that preparations have been done for the upcoming drill. He added that the activity is part of the TFD’s effort to raise the security awareness of Dabawenyos.
Task Force Davao has been actively advocating the culture of security in the city, which encourages the public to volunteer themselves for inspection and help in the implementation of security measures in the city, and reporting of all suspicious persons and activity in the community.
The program solicits the public’s cooperation in the awareness campaign by reminding their friends and family of all security regulations within Davao City. It also entices residents to take part in the implementation of the Culture of Security within their workplaces, schools, puroks, or subdivisions and be an active part of the community defense system.CIO
