By Eldie S. Aguirre
Digos City Bureau Chief
MALITA, Davao Occidental — The local chief executive here has called the attention of all military and police units in the area to keep a tight watch in their areas of responsibility to thwart any eventualities which may occur following the President’s declaration of martial law in Mindanao due to the ongoing skirmishes in Marawi City.
Governor Claude Bautista called a command conference last Friday to ascertain that the military and the police will be properly guided in their respective tasks in providing protection to the lives and properties of the entire province of Davao Occidental.
He assured his constituents that stringent security measures will be imposed to deter the entry of terrorists and other criminal elements in the province by conducting a 24/7 checkpoints along the national highways and its boundaries. He also urged law enforcers to devise strategies to prevent terrorists from gaining entry to all towns of Davao Occidental.
The governor also asked his constituents to remain calm and vigilant at all times as he allayed fears of possible abuses of the military and the police due to the declaration of martial law.
“You have nothing to fear that martial law was declared. It is purposely done to protect the people in Mindanao from terrorist and other forms of criminalities. If you are a law abiding citizen you have nothing to fear about martial law,” Bautista said during a press briefing through a teleconference.
Barangay officials led by FABC president Brett Bautista has been convened and informed that an emergency village assembly be conducted so that local residents will be fully informed about the current situation. The governor urged them to inform local authorities of any suspicious individuals entering or roaming their respective areas so that proper action could be taken.
DILG provincial director Debbie Torres is expected to come up with a specific guidelines in relation to the implementation of martial law which will be presented to the local chief executives’ meeting on Monday in Malita. Davao Occidental has five towns.
Meanwhile, Bautista assured that the anti-drug campaign will not be set aside due to the implementation of martial law.
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