Davao police to meet with contractors after latest NPA attack

DAVAO CITY — Following the burning of heavy equipment by members of the New People’s Army (NPA) here, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) chief and representatives from the city government will meet with project contractors this week to address security issues in the city.

City Chief of Police Alexander Tagum said this is to remind contractors not to leave their heavy equipment unattended, which may entice lawless armed groups to burn them.

He said he would recommend that contractors who have ongoing construction projects should park their equipment in areas where security forces are present.

“By then, we already formulated guidelines so that the incident will not happen again. Part of it is to come up with a consolidation point or safe haven in all barangays and police stations where they can park their equipment after their work where there is presence of our security forces,” Tagum said in vernacular.

The meeting will be called following results of the investigation that there were lapses found on the side of the operators.

Investigation showed 10 heavy equipment burned in Barangay Farima in Paquibato District, Dalagdag, Calinan District and Barangay Callaw, Buhangin District were left unattended.

“According to our joint investigation, the heavy equipment were left without informing the nearby army battalion,” he said.

He said the 89th Infantry Battalion near Callawa, for instance, had no knowledge about the heavy equipment left in the project area until the incident happened on March 31.

He added that as soon as the contractors agree with the proposed guidelines, it would be strictly implemented.

“So that if there will be (similar) incident we will be held responsible,” Tagum said.