Escorts of VIPs visiting Davao City barred from carrying long firearms

DAVAO CITY – Security escorts of prominent personalities, including politicians and other ranking government officials, visiting this southern city are strictly prohibited from carrying high-powered firearms.

Chief Superintendent Andres Caro II, Southern Mindanao police director, issued this guideline after noting that bodyguards of visiting VIPs have been brandishing long firearms in the city’s central business district and residential areas as well.

Caro said this not only causes undue alarm among residents, but also unnecessarily depicts the city as a war zone instead of its being the tourism and economic hub in this part of the country.

“It is already affecting the image of Davao City as one of Asia’s most livable cities. It would not be good for this city that is considered as the leading growth center in this part of the country,” he added.

Caro said the bodyguards of visiting VIPs are asked to deposit their firearms at designated checkpoints in the different entry points to the city.

“These long firearms of security escorts are not necessary since personnel of the Davao City police and Task Force Davao can very well take care of the security of the visitors while in the city,” he said.

Caro said there have been several complaints from civilians and even government officials who have figured in near mishaps or “mis-encounters” with arrogant security personnel of certain visiting VIPs who violated traffic rules.

Caro said security escorts should only carry properly documented short firearms while they are with their principals here.