Davao City, home-city of President Rodrigo Duterte, increased its security after the twin bomb attacks that rocked Jolo, Sulu on Monday resulting in the deaths of 15 people and wounding more than 70..
The city’s Task Force Davao has placed its troops on red alert to prevent a possible spillover of violence.
TF Davao Commander Colonel Consolito Yecla said the heightened security measures are being implemented in the city to ensure it is safe from similar attacks.
Yecla said stricter checkpoint procedures are now being implemented in all the city’s entry and exit points particularly in Lasang, Bunawan District, Sirawan, Toril District and Lacson, Calinan District.
He added that intelligence gathering had also been heightened in the city.
“We immediately called our intel personnel inside and outside the city and coordinated with other units to ensure that the city will be safe from any atrocities,” he said.
Yecla said that motorists entering Davao City will be required to remove their face masks briefly for facial identification.
He said that the removal of face mask for not more than 10 seconds will be done while the passengers have their face shields on which is mandatory for commuters.
Travellers not wearing their face shields will be required to proceed to the facial recognition and inspection area with a transparent health-protective barrier before they remove their face masks.
Yecla said female passengers wearing a veil or hijab will be checked at the inspection cubicles for facial recognition by female personnel.
“This move is to deter or pre-empt any terrorist plan against the people of Davao City,” Yecla said. This security measure takes effect immediately.
The city still has a “No Jacket Policy” to prevent any concealed weapons or improvised explosive devices. Those wearing jackets will be asked to remove them at the inspection areas.
Military officials confirmed that the twin bombings were carried out by two female suicide bombers sympathetic to the Islamic State. Rommel F. Lopez