By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY — A modern facility with a state-of-the-art traffic inspection system will replace one of the city’s checkpoint stations anytime this year to boost the city’s security and anti-terrorism campaign.
This was according to Col. Randolph Cabangbang, deputy commander of Task Force (TF) Davao, who said the new traffic inspection facility will be established in Barangay Lasang, one of the city’s three major checkpoints being managed by TF Davao.
Cabangbang said the Lasang checkpoint will serve as a model for the checkpoints in Toril and Marilog districts.
“This will be off-road — hindi na sa highway (no longer along the highway),” Cabangbang told reporters during Wednesday’s military and police press corps briefing at the Royal Mandaya Hotel.
The planned checkpoint facility will have a walk-through scanner and a boom type X-ray for vehicles that can detect illegal drugs, weapons, and other contraband.
Cabangbang explained that the Lasang checkpoint will be the first to be modernized because it is located on a city government property, unlike the other stations.
The modernization of the city’s checkpoints has been eyed by the city government as early as 2017 as part of its anti-terrorism initiative.
Meanwhile, Cabangbang said President Rodrigo Duterte has provided TF Davao with 62 9-mm. firearms.
“We will no longer carry our long firearms while conducting an inspection. Mas madali mag inspect (It’s easier to inspect) because both hands are free,” the TF Davao official said.
Aside from securing the city and ensuring people are safe, Task Force Davao also takes part in the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the local government.
Cabangbang said that in 2018, the task force apprehended a total of 95 persons for illegal drugs possession. The unit also confiscated a total of 115 grams of shabu and 14 kg. of marijuana, all worth PHP3.5 million.
Cabangbang boasted that TF Davao personnel can even detect illegal drugs hidden in wallets and other tiny packaging. He said none of the anti-drug operations of the agency has resulted in any death.
