Lupaz said such security measures are part of Oplan Davao Defense System (DDS) to prevent a repeat of similar incidents in the city.
“We immediately implement the Oplan Davao Defense System. Actually matagal na oplan yan na ginawa ng DCPO because of fact that every now and then we receive reports about bombing in our nearby provinces especially in Central Mindanao,” Lupaz said in an interview over the weekend.
He said DDS is the conduct of heightened checkpoint operations in the main thoroughfares going to Davao City.
“All police stations will be rendering checkpoint operations right after another police station finishes their duty so walang putol yan nag-coconduct ng checkpoint yong lahat na police stations,” he said.
“Ito yong operational and tactical approach na ginawa natin by conducting a series of checkpoints along the main thoroughfares of Davao City and going to Davao City.
According to the city director, they also beefed up security measures in the city’s established border control points.
The DCPO is also continuously maintaining active security measures in places of convergence and government facilities, including security at Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT).
The Task Force (TF) Davao meanwhile, has 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.
TF Davao Commander Colonel Darren Comia in a report from the City Information Office (CIO) 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.
“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,” Comia said.
He said this is to ensure that all passengers will undergo thorough security checks, that is why they have to board through the DCOTT in Ecoland.
Although passengers are not allowed to board buses at designated zones outside of DCOTT, Comia clarified that they may still get off the bus at these zones.
“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.
The security cluster heads assured the public that these tightened security measures are only temporary.
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