MANILA — In wake of the terror threat warnings provided by President Benigno S. Aquino III to Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, the Eastern Mindanao Command on Saturday announced that it has more than sufficient forces to deploy and protect the locality.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) units here are on alert always even before the report of the President was announced,” Capt. Alberto Caber, the command spokesperson, said.
“We have more than enough forces to secure Davao City and its neighboring towns and communities. Task Force Davao and the PNP are in charge of the security of the City and its people. We have the support of the civilian and the rest of stakeholders. The local government unit and the military enjoy mutual cooperation in the pursuit of peace and stability of the City as mandated by the existing laws and under our Campaign Plan ‘Panagdait’ under Internal Peace Security Plan ‘Bayanihan’,” he added.
Caber stressed that threats to Davao City and its communities are always a daily challenge to the AFP and PNP in Davao City and are always ready to respond to its occurrence.
He added that Eastern Mindanao Command head Lt. Gen. Ricardo Rainier G. Cruz III already directed all military intelligence units in the area of responsibility to verify and validate the said report as to the plan and intent of a threat group.
“The PNP Intelligence units are also doing the same efforts. We are working jointly with the PNP,” he added.