Tightened security for Duterte here

THE Task Force Davao (TFD) has conducted more routinary deployment and checkpoints whenever President Rodrigo Duterte is here in Davao City.

TFD is strengthening its intelligence monitoring to pre-empt threats and secure the safety of Duterte.

He arrived early yesterday morning in Davao City after his state visit in Vietnam.

TFD spokesperson Captain Mario Tena, in an interview yesterday, admitted they tighten the security during Duterte's stay in the city.

"There's more deployment on the president's engagement areas as well as random checkpoints in the city," Tena said.

Newly-installed TF Davao commander Col. Erwin Bernard Neri, for his part, said they are coordinating with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and the Presidential Security Group (PSG) to guarantee Duterte's and the public's safety.

Neri replaced Col. Henry Robinson after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered his relief after the deadly

blast in Roxas Boulevard last Septemeber 2 that left 15 people dead and injured 69 others.

Neri plans to modernize the group's operational strategies by acquiring walk-through body scanners that will be placed in the city's entry points and x-ray baggage scanners on bus terminals.

TFD has focused on increasing the level of awareness of the residents against terrorism.

The office also led an antiterrorism forum last Sept. 20 at the Ritz Hotel in Davao City. It was attended by Davao city officials including tribal chieftains and barangay captains.