19 October 2022
The Task Force (TF) Davao has seized over P7 million worth of illegal drugs and smuggled cigarettes from January to October this year.
TF-Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia, in an interview with the City Information Office on Tuesday, said they have apprehended 215 people who attempted to smuggle illegal drugs, cigarettes, and firearms through the city’s borders.
From January 1 to October 14, over 204 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P3,216,441, and 867 grams of marijuana valued at P108,598 were seized from 155 people.
A total of 7,952 reams of smuggled cigarettes with estimated worth of P3,978,500, including the P1.25 million in illegal cigarettes seized early Tuesday morning, were confiscated from 18 individuals.
The TF-Davao has also arrested 42 individuals for carrying illegal firearms.
Meanwhile, Comia said TF-Davao’s 500 personnel need to be augmented by at least one company (100 to 250 soldiers) from the 10th Infantry Division and more from the reservist forces during the observance of the All Saint’s Day and All Soul’s Day.
He said an estimated 800 personnel from the Philippine Army are needed to fully cover all areas of convergence in the city.
“Hihingi tayo ng additional forces sa 10th Infantry Division, kasama na ang mga reservist na mga kasamahan natin sa Philippine Army, nang sa ganon mapunan ang kakulangan sa personnel sa dami ng sementeryo, public at private, na ise-secure ng security forces dito sa Davao City (We will ask for additional forces from the 10th Infantry Division, including from our reserve forces in the Philippine Army, so we can fill up the security forces needed to secure the numerous cemeteries, public and private, here in Davao City),” Comia said.
The TF Davao Commander said that security inspections in the five fixed border checkpoints (Sirawan, Eden, Lacson, Malagos and Lasang), in the airport, as well as the 24/7 patrols in the Davao River will be heightened.
To further safeguard the city’s borders, Comia said the TF-Davao will be adding another riverine detachment force in the Bunawan area in order to intercept water vessels carrying illegal cargo coming in from Samal and Davao del Norte.
“Sa pamamagitan nito, mache-check natin yong lahat ng mga pumapasok ng Davao City (Through this, we can check all those entering Davao City),” Comia added. CIO
