DAVAO City — Expect a stronger presence of security forces with the extended martial law in Mindanao as the police and military vowed to show their strength even during the observance of the Filipino’s traditional Simbang Gabi.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Insp. Teresita Gaspan said inspections have been conducted at the gates of churches here starting last week.
Gaspan said all churchgoers will have to submit themselves for inspections.
At the communities, the DCPO will also intensify the conduct of the “Oplan Bulabog” to monitor the activities in the community.
The operation plan involves the identity checking of bystanders and residents in a target community.
Police was able to do it when martial law was first declared in May this year, Gaspan said.
“Mas na-intensify pud nato on the basis of martial law, to identify sino yung mga tao na transient lang dito, namomonitor natin kung ano yung ginagawa nila dito,” she said.
Last Thursday alone, the DCPO has checked the identities of 1,889 residents as reported by its 10 police stations.
More checkpoints, more troops
Overall, the military said they are keen to put up more checkpoints to prevent the spillover of violence.
“This is a tool to prevent the spillover of terrorism in our area. We look at it as allowing us to accomplish the target we set considering the additional troops to accomplish our objectives and goals,” he said.
The 10th Infantry Division that secures most of the Davao Region, now has 13 army battalions, including the newest, the 15th Infantry Battalion, which will be deployed in Arakan, North Cotabato.
Major Ezra Balagtey, spokesperson of the Armed Forces’ Eastern Mindanao Command, said the military is confident that additional troops are enough to run after the armed fighters of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.
However, he said the military is advocating for the “whole of the nation” approach since the government also has to prevent the recruitment of more NPA members. (davaotoday.com)
Disclaimer
Mindanao Gold Star Daily holds the copyrights of all articles and photos in perpetuity. Any unauthorized reproduction in any platform, electronic and hardcopy, shall be liable for copyright infringement under the Intellectual Property Rights Law of the Philippines.
