LOCAL authorities are scaling their security measures to ensure peace and order in the city during the visit of Indonesian President Joko Widodo following recent attacks launched by the New People's Army (NPA) in Davao City.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) Director Alexander Tagum assured on Saturday that the attack by the NPA rebels has no effect in the visit of Widodo, assuring that a heightened security monitoring of combined law enforcement agencies is in place.
"It will have no effect. But we'll double our security efforts," Senior Superintendent Tagum said.
The investigation on the attack is still ongoing and authorities are determining the identity of the perpetrators who torched down the properties of Lapanday Foods Corporation in Davao City.
Likewise, Task Force Davao Commander Colonel Erwin Bernard Neri said that the standing security measures will be implemented to protect the safety and welfare of Widodo. He added that Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio advised them to intensify security to prevent occurrence of similar events.
Meanwhile, the Eastern Mindanao Command (EMC) and Police Regional Office (PRO) condemned the recent atrocities perpetrated by NPA members.
"The EMC and PRO commiserate with all the innocent victims and families affected by these senseless, selfish, and desperate attacks. Their acts clearly show utmost disregard to existing laws and Human Rights, contrary to what they (NPA) are trying to project with their propaganda," the military and police said in a joint statement furnished to the media.
The attack, it added, was also meant to embarrass the City Government that is scheduled to host important events such as Widodo's visit for the launching of Davao-Gensan-Bitug Roll-on-roll-off (Roro).
They assured the public that law enforcers are on top of the situation and are ready to respond to atrocities that would be launched by the terrorist group.
"The EMC and PRO, however, would like to assure the public that the attack is an isolated incident in a remote area, and that additional measures have been put in place to enhance the security in Davao City," the statement added.
They urged the public to remain vigilant at all times and immediately report to authorities suspicious personalities, activities and vehicles that they noticed in their communities.