TF Davao tightens border control amid Tacurong and Koronadal blasts

The Task Force (TF) Davao has heightened security measures in border control points in and out of the city following two bus-related blasts in the cities of Tacurong and Koronadal.

With this, TF Davao also recommended the temporary suspension of passenger loading in designated bus loading/unloading zones in the city, urging passengers to go through the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) for passage.

In an interview during the Madayaw Davao, TF Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia said that the move to enhance border controls and passenger security inspection was spurred by the blasts, which occurred aboard passenger buses in the two cities.

“Nagrecomend na tayo na ‘wag na munang magpasakay doon sa mag designated bus loading and unloading zones dito sa downtown Davao City. Dahil ito sa panghitabo last week didto sa Tacurong and Koronadal ng South Cotabato. Naay pagsabog, pagbuto didto and ang pagbuto didto sa bus. Busa lagi nagrecommend na tayo … Temporarily, pinagbawal muna natin ang pagsakay sa mga designated loading and unloading zones. Ginagawa lang naman natin ito nang sa ganun lahat ng mga pasaherong sasakay palabas ng davao city kinahangaln gyud ma check, ug kinahanglan gyud didto sila musakay sa DCOTT sa may Ecoland. Because, didto macheck gyud tanan pasarehos labi na ilahang mga butang para safety tayo.” (We have recommended suspending the loading of passengers in designated loading/unloading zones within downtown Davao City because of the incidents in Tacurong and Koronadal South Cotabato. The explosives in both incidents were planted in buses. That is why we are temporarily prohibiting the loading of passengers from designated bus loading/unloading zones. We are only doing this to ensure that all passengers will undergo thorough security checks, that is why they have to board through the DCOTT in Ecoland. Because in DCOTT all passengers will be inspected along with their luggage),” he said

Although passengers are not allowed to board buses at designated zones outside of DCOTT, the TF commander clarified that they may still get off the bus at these zones.

“Pwede man sila mag-unload ng mga pasaheros na gikan sa gawas kay nainspect man ang mga pasaheros sa atong mga border control points. Tanan na mga butang na gikan sa gawas kay nainspect na man sila sa mga border control points. Busa lagi okay ra sa amoa na magbaba sila sa mga unloading zones. Ang problema kadtong laoding, kadtong pagawas ng Davao City. Kinahanglan gyud didto sila sa DCOTT musakay para safety ilang biyahe padulong sa mga probinsya. (Buses may still unload passengers from outside of Davao City because these passengers and all cargo have undergone security checks at our border control points. That is why it is okay for them to get off designated zones. The problem lies with those who are boarding, those who are leaving Davao City. They really need to board through the DCOTT to ensure safe passage to other provinces),” Comia added.

TF Davao assured Dabawenyos that these security measures are temporary. CIO.