Stepping-up strong security measures makes Davao City experiences zero incidence – Gen. Gapay

Davao City - Brigadier General Gilbert I. Gapay, the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Mindanao Command, and Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF) Haribon was organized after the September 2, 2016, bombing in Davao City with 15 casualties and 67 wounded during the said incident.

Gen. Gapay said he is the second commander of the JTF Haribon since its creation. He assumed the post as the Deputy Commander of the Eastern Mindanao command on December 1, 2016. The JTF Haribon operates in Davao City, Samal Island including Davao del Norte.

Gapay said when the former Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte elected to Presidency, Davao City became the Malacanang set in the south. On this new situation, Davao City become the venue of top level activities of the government and might be one of the major targets of terrorist groups in the country. Gapay said they identified Al khalifa Pilipinas (AKP) based in General Santos City and Sarangani; Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Maguindanao; the Maute group in Lanao del Sur; the Abu sayyaf group (ASG) in Sulu and Basilan, but these are all outside Davao area.

Gen. Gapay on area briefing

Gapay said that Isnilon Japilon of ASG is said to be in Lanao del Sur early this year coordinating with the Maute group. They are trying to unite among themselves for their desire for independence to establish link with the Islamic State terrorist based in other countries.

He said that they stepped-up extensive intelligence coverage on these groups to monitor their movements, safe houses and identification of personalities. He said there are numbers of terrorists were neutralized by the military in Western Mindanao command area.

Some political analysts said that terrorism is the product of social injustices converted into political confrontation inspired by the social and religious extremism. Most of the members of the terrorist groups are recruited from the innocent youth and trained and ready to cost their lives for their belief.

Gapay said the terrorists are trying to infiltrate Davao City because dignitaries are their high value target personalities and he said that these are the challenges to monitor the whereabouts of the terrorist groups and neutralize them.

Strengthened security measures in the critical infrastructures such as seaports and airports are being initiated and sustained. There are 3 major checkpoints in Davao City as the entry and exit points to ensure security and protection of the City.

Gapay said during inspection on checkpoints, the passengers of the public utility vehicles should step-down in checkpoints especially from the buses to get inspected then board the bus again. The inspection have no exemption, everybody are subjected for inspection as part of the security measures. Aside from checkpoints is the visibility patrols of the Philippine National Police (PNP). In populated areas, security teams are augmented such as in malls, churches, public markets and public plaza especially during festivals and celebrations.

Gen. Gapay, 2nd from right, with his men get ready to zumba.

On January 15, 2017 the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit was launched in Davao City and President Duterte formally accepted the chairmanship for the ASEAN for this year and successfully hosted the series of ASEAN meeting activities in Davao City.

President Duterte is the current Chairman of the ASEAN this year hosted the ASEAN Summit 2017 last January in Davao City to coincide with the 50^th year anniversary of the ASEAN this year. Gapay said “our government has a bigger responsibility in hosting the summit especially on safety and security.” Davao City successfully hosted 9 ASEAN top level meetings for the month of February 2017 alone and on the later part of the year the head of states will be coming in the country for the Summit.

“Due to the effective and strong security measures, I am proud to say that we achieved the target of zero incidence for the past few months upon my assumption in JTF Haribon but it’s an inter-agency efforts by the Military with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the local government units” Gapay said in a statement.

Gapay said Security in Davao City is very challenging. The security set-up is in place with its aim to be ended a successful celebration for the ASEAN summit in Davao City. Security awareness program is continuing by giving information and education to the populace on anti-terrorism campaign is being initiated in tandem with the people have raised the level of security awareness like the unattended packages and received reports from the public manifested the cooperation from the people. He said they also increased the number of k-9 units to respond any eventualities to protect Davao City. Gapay said security measures in Davao City is collectively effective and doing well.

The zumba session

In related developments, the Communist Party of the Philippines - New Peoples Army - National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) is the number one security threat in Eastern Mindanao command. During the breakdown of ceasefire there is a significant increase of atrocities and attacks include arson, extortion, kidnapping, among others, especially targeting civilians. The Eastern Mindanao Command is addressing these concerns in close cooperation with the private and business sectors because CPP-NPA-NDF is concentrating its forces in the four regions in Eastern Mindanao area, such as in regions XIII, XI part of Regions X and XII.

In relation to the Bangsamoro peace process, there is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) community in Davao City as well as the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) community. Both groups are very cooperative in supporting the peace initiatives of President Duterte. He is hoping a new BBL version, the Bangsamoro enabling law will be passed for Bangsamoro Autonomy but the Moro groups are also optimistic to Federalism leaving behind the issue on separation.

Gapay said security concern is everybody’s responsibility. It’s not only the responsibility of the security sector and local government but it’s the responsibility for everyone. He is urging the people to continue their cooperation and support to the security sectors and local leaders especially in securing Davao City and its environs in Mindanao and the entire country. Reports and photos by Jun Enriquez