By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY — The city and regional police raised the security level in Davao to double full alert following incidents in other provinces where the communist New People’s Army (NPA) launched attacks against government troops.
Chief Supt. Marcelo Morales, Police Regional Office (PRO)-11 director, ordered all police units and stations to conduct checkpoints and apply simulation exercises.
“I am reminding all police units on their security awareness and consciousness in order not to give opportunity for the enemy to attack,” Morales said, citing the pre-dawn attack by the communist rebels in Sibagat, Agusan del Sur last Wednesday, December 19.
In the incident, some 50 NPA combatants abducted two soldiers and 12 militiamen, and seized high-powered firearms including 17 M16 rifles and two R4 assault rifles.
Morales said there is also need for the police to enhance intelligence gathering and coordination with other law enforcement units, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
“We will maintain high alert — full alert,” Morales said in an interview on Friday.
Senior Supt. Alexander, Tagum Davao City Police Office head, assured that “while the people are enjoying Christmas, policemen will secure and protect them.”
Tagum said he cannot discount possibilities that enemies will launch harassments. “We don’t want surprises here. Tanan alert (All are alert),” Tagum said.
Tagum said police stations have already set up their assistance desks outside of the building, citing a deceptive tactic used by the NPA to ask help from the police.
“We have to entertain people seeking police assistance at the perimeter of the station,” Tagum said. Tagum assured that the city police is ready for the holiday season, with a total of 2,025 cops deployed in all areas.
The city, he said, is also getting augmentation from the Regional Maneuver Force Battalion.