Security cluster proves readiness during Q4 SIMEX

Davao City’s Security and Safety Cluster once again successfully demonstrated its capability and inter-operability against terror attacks during the 4th quarter security simulation exercise (SIMEX) conducted here on Sunday noon.

Unlike previous exercises, details to the nature of this quarter’s SIMEX— including the scenario, location, date and time —were withheld from all Security and Safety units to fully test and gauge their readiness to respond to any possible act of terrorism in the city.

Led by the Task Force Davao, Sunday’s SIMEX was a two-part exercise involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) placed in two separate locations.

The first alert was raised when an IED inside a passenger bus was intercepted by the TF Davao at the Sirawan checkpoint at 11:30 a.m. Troops immediately locked down the highway and promptly evacuated people and cordoned the area.

Shortly after, an explosion occurred at the Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Bangkal at 12:50 p.m. Within minutes, police responders from the Talomo Police Station 3 arrived at the scene. The area was immediately cordoned and traffic diverted. The DCPO’s implementation of Oplan Dragnet resulted in the apprehension of the alleged perpetrators of the blast. The Task Force Davao then took control of the situation and cleared the area.

In both incidents, the city’s security protocols and contingency plan were successfully implemented and followed.

Task Force Davao Commander Col. Darren Comia and Public Safety and Security Office (PSSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay both gave a 9 out 10 rating in terms of the security units’ promptness and execution of first-response directives.

Comia said the success of the SIMEX proves that the Security and Safety Cluster is always ready to implement its contingency plans to any act of terror.

“We want this response plan to become a muscle memory for our responding units, that every time there is an act of terrorism, we’ll have an appropriate and corresponding response plan, and kanina naputanayan natin na nagkaroon ulit ng pagkakaisa among the safety and security forces ng Davao City (earlier we proved that the security forces of Davao City are united),” Comia said.

The TF commander added future simulation exercises shall likewise be unannounced.

Although the results of the exercise were highly satisfactory, Sumagaysay said that inter-agency communications can still be improved.

Forces from the Task Force Davao, Public Safety and Security Office, Civil Security Unit, Davao City Police Office, Special Weapons and Tactics, Explosive Ordinance Division/K9 Unit, Tactical Operations Group XI, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Central 911, Philippine Air Force, Bureau of Fire Protection, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao, Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency XI, Regional Maritime Unit XI, RFU 11, JSOU3, JSOF1, and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office took part in the exercise. CIO