Police and military observe heightened alert for the Holy Week activities

DAVAO CITY, Mar 27 (PIA) Authorities heightened the security of the city to ensure the safety of residents and visitors during the commemoration of the Holy Week.

Senior Superintendent Ronald de la Rosa, director of the Davao City Police Office said police and military personnel under Task Force Davao are deployed in churches, terminals, ports and airports and other places of convergence to monitor and act immediately on contingencies.

He said tighter security checks will be imposed at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal in Ecoland, Sasa Wharf, and the Davao International Airport to ensure the safety of visitors and the faithful who will join the Holy Week activities in various churches.

“We will observe maximum police visibility in areas where people gather for the Holy Week celebration,” De la Rosa said.

He said five hundred policemen will be deployed for the occasion.

De la Rosa also called on all policemen to reflect on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ even on the line of duty.

“You can reflect on the teachings of Christ even at the time we are serving the people,” he said.

De la Rosa also urged local residents to be wary of the security of their houses once they leave to attend religious services.

He advised residents to close all windows and doors and not to give any opportunity for break-in.

Lt. Colonel Roberto Rivas, deputy commanding officer of the Task Force Davao said the military supports the security measures being implemented by the police in all public places.

He said tighter checks have been imposed on their established choke points in Barangay Sirawan, Toril in the south, Barangay Lacson, Calinan in the north and Barangay Bunawan in the northeast as part of the measures to prevent crime and acts of terror.

“We call on the riding public to cooperate in the checkpoint operations since it is for their own safety,” Rivas said.

He also said tighter checks on baggage are also strictly observed at the overland terminal to ensure the safety of travellers going out of the city. (RGA/JSD/PIA-XI)