NSFA, Panacan, Davao City – Aside from the enhanced maritime patrol being conducted by the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao and the joint maritime patrol with the Philippine Coast Guard in the territorial waters in South Eastern Mindanao, Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) further intensified the border crossing security to prevent terrorist and other transnational crime syndicate from using the backdoor as entry point with the creation of an inter-agency border security council.
During the Inter-Agency meeting at Headquarters Eastern Mindanao Command at Naval Station Felix Apolinario, Panacan, Davao City on June 28, 2017 the Inter-Agency attendees discussed and provided input in enhancing the southern border security. Further it was agreed upon to organize a Border Security Council that will be composed of different agencies involved in maritime, immigration, foreign relations and other law enforcement agencies; and different Local Government Units.
The Inter-Agency Border Security Council will be a mechanism and venue for member agency in reporting and assessing border security and recommending measures to be undertaken. It also defines the role and task of each member agency in the effort of securing the border.
Meanwhile, border crossing stations in Cape San Agustin in Governor Generoso and Balut Island, Saranggani, Davao Occidental are being improved to strengthen the watch and monitoring system of the territorial border in Eastern Mindanao.
On the other hand Joint Task Force Haribon is presently profiling the different bancas along the Davao Gulf as part of the effort of enhancing the “Bantay Dagat” a community based coastal security as additional measure of security. In coordination with Local Government Units this will be replicated in all coastal areas in EMC AOR. via Eunice Samonte – PTV News
