MANILA, Philippines — Following the twin bombings at a cathedral in Jolo, Sulu that killed at least 20 people and injured at least 97 others, Davao City ordered law enforcement not to allow backpacks in churches in the city.
“The city mayor has instructed us that churchgoers should no longer bring backpacks in going inside their places of worship for security reasons,” Davao City's Public Safety and Security Command Center head Benito de Leon said in a statement on Tuesday.
De Leon said their office has advised churchgoers to bring small handbags or purses instead to allow security forces to monitor suspicious activities more.
Davao City had to deal with its own major terror attack in 2016 when a bomb ripped through the night market that killed 14 people and injured over 67 others.
READ: At least 14 killed, 67 others hurt in Davao blast
“In that manner, we could avoid an incident, wherein some malicious individuals could put in explosive devices in backpacks, the same scheme that happened in Jolo,” De Leon added.
The city’s public safety head said that if churchgoers happen to forget and bring backpacks anyway, they should submit them for inspection.
He said that the city government has coordinated this policy with priests in Davao to include in their announcements.
The city’s police office and other law enforcement will also heighten security in areas where there are churches. — Ryan Macasero