More cops deployed to secure ‘undas’
City on heightened alert during the observance of All Saints’ and Souls’ Day More than 1,000 police personnel deployed at 23 private and public cemeteries, churches, public places and all entry and exit points in the city starting October 30
A TOTAL of 278 more police personnel from the Davao Police Regional Office (PRO) have been deployed to Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to assist the city’s police personnel in ensuring security during the observance of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day in the city.
This is in addition to more than 2,000 security forces from DCPO, Task Force Davao and other security agencies tasked to secure ‘undas.’
Chief Insp. Alfredo Baloran, DCPO Operation Division head, told Sun. Star Davao, that the additional
security forces are from the Philippine National Police Scout Training Center of PRO 11.
The additional police personnel arrived at the DCPO headquarters at arounbd 2 p.m. yesterday. They will be assigned to 12 police stations, especially at San Pedro Police Station, Talomo Police Station, and Sta. Ana Police Station, Baloran said.
“We will assign them (PNP Scouts) to different police stations, pero majority nga lang sa kanila will be assigned to San Pedro, Talomo and Sta. Ana stations that are close to the downtown area,” Baloran said.
Close to 2,000 personnel from DCPO, including Task Force Davao (TFD), Public Safety Command Center, Traffic Management Center, National Support Unit, Explosive Ordnance Division, force multipliers, and other government agencies have been tasked to secure Undas.
Baloran said there will be more than 1,000 police personnel to be deployed at 23 private and public cemeteries, churches, public places and all entry and exit points in Davao City starting October 30.
He added that 247 police personnel were deployed Wednesday; 369 Thursday; 473 this November 1; 471 on November 2; and 169 on November 3. He also said that the city will be placed under heightened alert for ‘undas.’
Baloran also reminded the public to follow the rule on Undas. He said carrying of bladed weapons and firearms, karaoke/radio, liquors, also smoking and gambling, are prohibited. He added that those who will be caught will suffer consequences.
Baloran said there will be a 24-hour public assistance center mounted in the private and public cemeteries to avoid the entry of those prohibited items. He added that violators will be endorsed to police station for investigation and filing of charges once arrested.
On the other hand, Chief Insp. Jed Clamor, PRO 11 spokesperson, said its Operation Plan (Oplan Kaluluwa has already been implemented where it prescribes the guidelines and procedures to each police unit for their security functions.
Clamor added that carrying of firearms and any deadly weapons are not only prohibited inside the cemeteries but also outside the houses as the Commission on Election gun ban is still in effect until November 12 -- 15 days after the recent barangay election.
Clamor said while authorities will labor hard for everyone’s safety, the public should also do individual security measures for themselves so as to prevent any probable crime incidents. ICT