Davao City Task Force Commander said that the joint security forces are now coordinating with bus companies after Sunday’s bombing incident in Tacurong City and warned them to pick up passengers only in designated areas.
“Hinihiling namin, ine-encourage po naming na huwag na po kayong magpick-up along the way, katunayan nito base sa pag-iimbestiga ng 6th infantry division, yung may mga nagpick up along the way sa Tacurong at biglang bumaba daling-dali doon sa area before ng pagsabog tiningnan na anggulo na sila ang nagpasabog nito. (We are asking them and encouraging them not to pick up along the way because based on the investigation of the 6th Infantry Division, the passengers were picked up along the way to Tacurong and alighted shortly before the explosion and they are suspected to have caused the explosion),” Task Force Davao Commander Col. Darren Comia said in an interview over Davao City Disaster Radio on Tuesday Morning.
They are closely coordinating with the Yellow Bus Line to immediately report to them threats from terrorists.
‘Nakikipag-ugnayan tayo, in fact, ang katunayan nito kausap nga natin ang management ng Yellow Bus na kumpanya ng sa gayon kung may mga demand letter, extortion letter silang matanggap itawag agad sa atin. (We are coordinating with the bus company; in fact, we have talked with the management of Yellow Bus and asked them to report to us if they will receive a demand letter or extortion letter),” he said.
On High Alert
The Task Force Commander said that while there is “no direct threat” to Davao City, the security forces in the city are on high alert after the Tacurong bus explosion, which killed one person and injured 11.
“Padayon natong gipahugot ang atong mahigpit na security check sa ating border control points labi na sa possible areas kung saan possibleng dumaan sa loob ng Davao City yung mga kahinahinalang mga terrorista (We continue to tighten security check in our border control points, especially the possible areas where the suspected terrorists might enter the city),” Comia said.
Additional security personnel are tasked to board buses for inspection and check them before entering Davao City.
In the downtown area of Davao, joint checkpoint operations are conducted by TF Davao and the Davao City Police Office, with heightened visibility patrols, motorcycle patrols, and foot patrols, especially in crowded areas.
Comia also informed Dabawenyos in advance that drills are conducted to anticipate possible terrorist entry into the city.
“Tinitingnan natin yung anggulo na talagang posibleng may makapasok sa Davao City kaya nga ang ating kasamahan ngayon lalong lalo na sa mga border nagkakaroon ng drills rehearsals ng sa ganon yung mga established protocols natin kung may ganyang pangyayari maipatupad natin ng maayos (We are looking into the angle of a possible entry in Davao City that is why our security forces, especially in the border, are conducting drills and rehearsals so that the established protocols here will be properly implemented),” he said.
Comia said that they are also coordinating with the intelligence community outside Davao City but added that the city is not under a “direct threat” as the Tacurong Bombing has been identified as an extortion event. He said that elements of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) Hassan Group in Sultan Kudarat are also identified to be behind the incident.
Comia said that they will monitor the situation in Northern Mindanao. He also asked for the Dabawenyos’ vigilance and cooperation to ensure the city’s safety.
“Rest assured that your joint security forces will ensure the safety and security ng Davao Cty. Ang suporta po ng buong Dabawenyos ay malaking tulong para ma maintain ang peace, security and order natatamasa natin. Patuloy po naming gagawin ang mandato and ang tulong po ninyo once again ay napaka importante (Rest assured that your joint security forces will ensure the safety and security of Davao City. The support of the Dabawenyos is a huge help in maintaining the peace, security and order we currently enjoy. We will continue to do our mandate and your help is very important),” he added. CIO
