Tighter security for Asean Summit, Ms Universe event in Davao City

From the Philippine News Agency (Jan 6): Tighter security for Asean Summit, Ms Universe event in Davao City

Davao City's Public Safety and Security command Center (PSSCC) had laid down tighter security measures in connection with the holding of the Asean Summit and the Miss Universe beauty pageant here.

As this developed, the City Government of Davao is also preparing measures taken and plans to be submitted to the Department of Foreign Affairs for the lifting of travel advisories in time for the series of international events to be held in the city in the coming weeks.

Ret. Gen. Benito de Leon, the PSSC chief, said that the tighter security measures were discussed on Thursday morning, when the PSSCC conducted a security meeting together with the Task Force Davao, the Davao City Police Office, Central 911, City Traffic and Transportation Management Office, and the Joint Task Force Haribon.

"We are preparing plans for submission by the city to the DFA for their reference to communicate the lifting of travel advisories," said de Leon.

De Leon stressed that part of the tighter security measures is the deployment of additional troops.

Although there will be no lockdown, he said a heightened alert level will be adopted during the holding of activities related to the two major events.

“We have improved our security measure for the series of big events, we will add layers of patrols and additional troops for the event,” he said.

De Leon said the security measures “improved a lot since the Joint Task force Haribon will cover the air space and the coastlines of the city.”

All security efforts will be coordinated through a centralized security monitoring system, he added.

De Leon said that after the Roxas Night Market explosion on September 2, the city has improved its security monitoring by doubling security protocols in the checkpoints and the coastlines, and is now “more prepared to combat terrorism.”

He said that they will also brief Department of Foreign Affairs officials on the improved security in the city after the bombing so that foreign visitors will be informed that it is safe to travel to the city.

“Our assessment is that we have improved a lot. We are now more prepared to combat terrorism to ensure the safety of our citizens and the tourists as well. Through this, we are hoping that they will lift their travel advisory and tell their people that they are now safe to visit Davao,” De Leon said.

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