Davao security tightened for holidays

DAVAO CITY — Security has been tightened anew in this city to ensure security and order during the holidays.

Southern Mindanao regional police commander Chief Superintendent Isidro Lapeña said the police teamed up with the Armed Forces-led Task Force Davao for the implementation of operation "Bantay Pasko," which started last month and is expected to end by the first week of January.

"We have implemented security measures especially in areas where people are expected to converge during Christmas like the shopping malls, the parks, churches and passenger terminals," Lapeña said.

A parallel operation, "Oplan Paputok", was also launched to strictly enforce the ban on firecrackers and pyrotechnic materials during the holidays.

Task Force Davao executive officer Maj. Orlando Suarez said security has also been tightened around the city’s vital installations.

Suarez said both the police and the TFD personnel would be strictly implementing the security measures, which he said would cause much inconvenience of the public.

Security is a primary concern in the city, especially after two bomb blasts early this year left 39 people dead and over 200 others wounded.