TF Davao to hold simex on terror attack, bus hostage operation; Davao City remains peaceful

Task Force Davao commander Colonel Darren Comia said  the activity aims to gauge the interoperability of the members of the security forces in addressing threats to the city’s peace and order situation.

He said they want to see if the plan they made for the city is appropriate for the place, the people involved so they can ensure the safety and security of Davaoeños.

The activity will also test the capability of the city’s Security Forces to address any form of terrorism that might happen in Davao City.

“The scenario is about a hostage bus rescue operation which will be done in the Toril area. We will not inform the specific time so that we could see the reaction and the response of all our security forces on how to react and address that specific scenario,” Comia told reporters during the AFP-PNP Press Corps briefing Wednesday (March 23) at TF Davao Headquarters. 

The conduct of simex is still part of the city’s Culture of Security campaign as well as the Executive Order No. 62 s. 2021 “An Order Adopting the Integrated Response on Terrorism Plan (Usahay II) of Task Force Davao (TFD) and Activating the Joint Security Forces Cluster in the Event of Terror Attacks.”

Comia meanwhile announced that the city has not received any threats amid the start of the local campaign for the May 9 elections.

“Despite the fact that we do not have any direct threat, we are not lowering our guards down, we are continuously enhancing, strengthening our border control points as well as all the security measures lay down in Davao City in coordination and collaboration with all law enforcement agencies in the city specifically the Davao City Police Office,” Comia said. 

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay assured  the city is very peaceful, saying there are no reported threats from insurgency and terrorism.

Sumagaysay said they will sustain the security posture implemented by the security forces in the city.

“Davao City very peaceful. We do not have any threat from insurgency or terrorism. We will sustain it for the betterment of the Davaoeños. So far very peaceful and manageable,” Sumagaysay said.