The Task Force Davao (TFD) is sharing its expertise in urban safety and security with other cities in Mindanao.
TF Davao Commander Col. Darren Comia said delegates from Iligan City recently visited the TFD and other safety and security institutions in Davao City in a benchmarking activity on August 27. Impressed by the structural make-up of the Davao City security sector, the Iligan City local government unit then invited the TFD to give a two-day (November 14-15) workshop to their security forces.
“They were amazed by how we do it here. That’s why last November 14, we went there, we facilitated a workshop with the LGU of Iligan City including lahat ng security and safety forces nila doon. The workshop revolved around the creation of an integrated security plan to secure Iligan,” Comia said in a phone interview with the City Information Office on Tuesday.
The TF Davao is currently communicating with the local government of Iligan to assist in the creation of Task Force Iligan, Comia added.
During the workshop, the TF Davao discussed the security philosophy, concepts, and strategies of Davao City. The Culture of Security campaign, which underlines the active participation of a vigilant citizenry in safety and security, was also highlighted.
Comia said some of Davao City’s institutional approach to security- the effective working relationship between the security sector and the general public, strong political will from local executives, and the legislations and policies promoting the implementation of cohesive security measures -are among the city’s best practices that other LGUs want to replicate.
Aside from Iligan City, Kidapawan City has also expressed its interest in mirroring the security measures implemented by the Task Force Davao. The cities of General Santos, Malaybalay and Cotabato have also emulated some elements of the TF Davao’s strategies.
By collaborating with other municipalities in establishing integrated security strategies, Comia said a more expansive intelligence and information-sharing network can be established in the region.
Comia also said that if other territories in the region can effectively adopt the security measures of Task Force Davao, particularly in the implementation of stringent border checkpoints, then terrorist groups will be isolated and contained, drastically reducing their threat to Davao City.
“This is also the thrust of Task Force Davao– to propagate and advocate what we are doing here in Davao City outside of the city. It’s because I believe kung maghihigpit tayo dito tapos ang mga adjacent territories hindi mahigpit sa kanilang seguridad, mahihirapan tayo (It’s because if we enforce our border checkpoints stringently while other territories are lax in theirs, we will have a hard time),” he said.
Comia, however, said other cities will need to include their communities in adapting all aspects of Task Force Davao’s strategies, particularly in terms of gaining popular support.
He said Davao City’s security situation is unique in that the Dabawenyos’ receptiveness to the TFD’s security programs has been a vital part of its successes, a culture that is not particularly strong in other regions.
“The support and cooperation and collaboration of the Dabawenyos, if you try to compare with other communities in other cities not only here Mindanao but elsewhere in the Philippines, ‘di hamak na very receptive, supportive, and cooperative ang Dabawenyos,” he said.
Still, Comia believes that if all major cities and municipalities would succeed in emulating the security measures being implemented in Davao City, regional stability in the whole of Mindanao can be achieved.
“We really want to propagate and advocate the concepts that we are doing here in other areas, again to promote regional stability and economic growth,” he said. CIO
