Ban violators
10 arrested for violating firecracker ban
THE celebration of the holiday season here in Davao City is generally peaceful, but there are still those who lit up firecrackers and landed in the slammer, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) reported.
DCPO spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan said the 10 were made up of six adults and four minors. The adults were arrested, the minors castigated.
Two men were nabbed in Talomo area, one minor was caught in Baguio area, one in Calinan area, one adult and three minors in Bunawan area, and two in Buhangin area.
Personnel of the Tugbok Police Station, on the other hand, recovered abandoned pyrotechnic materials in their areas of responsibility. The same action was done by the members of the San Pedro Police Station.
"No casualty caused by firecracker injury was reported at the Southern Philippines Medical Center's (SPMC) outgoing and incoming duty, and no illegal discharge of firearms was recorded in police stations," Gaspan said.
During the New Year's citywide security deployment, a total of 1,792 security personnel were deployed in 896 static posts located in the pre-selected strategic city blocks to counter social deviants who might attempt to discharge their firearms or violate the law.
At least 156 personnel were deployed to various churches, 40 personnel at the markets, 46 at the terminals, eight at the seaports and 106 for combat patrol, and a total of 42 mobile patrol cars rendered a static and roving patrol in the commercial and residential areas considered crime prone within the city.
DCPO, Gaspan said, has also conducted 16 Oplan Katok operations, 18 road clearing operations, 42 Oplan Kap-Kap Sita operations, six anti-illegal gambling operations and 19 anti-smoking operations.
Police scout's 1st Platoon was also deployed to Maa City Jail, 2nd Platoon to Marilog Police Station, 3rd Platoon to Paquibato Police Station, and 4th Platoon to Barangay Indangan in Buhangin District.
Police from the Sta. Ana Police Station recorded the fire incident that took place on Marang Street in Barangay Wilfredo Aquino in Agdao District that gutted down 100 houses and displaced hundreds of families at around 12 a.m. Monday.
Task Force (TF) Davao commander Colonel Nolasco, meanwhile, said the unit opted to maintain high alert status and intensified security measures against possible terror threats.
"As to the Yuletide season, it was generally peaceful, though some of the lined up activities were cancelled due to the fire incident and flashflood earlier," Nolasco said.
Nolasco added that all the security sectors and stakeholders have contributed their respective shares that led to the success of the Yuletide season.
As to the entire region, Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 spokesperson Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said as result of the police's relentless effort in keeping the public safe, the region recorded negative untoward incidents.
"Zero casualty region-wide in welcoming the 2018. No reports on stray bullet, indiscriminate firing, and fire or burning incident and injuries due to firecrackers have been recorded," dela Cerna said.
PRO-11 regional director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan said the success of the Yuletide season would not be possible without the dedication of its police personnel along with the local government units and other government agencies.
Gaerlan said the PRO-11 still maintains its high alert status and will continue to monitor and provide overall security to maintain safety and peace and order for the whole region this 2018.