Anti-terror simex to include public for the first time: TFD

From the Mindanao Times (Oct 7, 2020): Anti-terror simex to include public for the first time: TFD (BY RHODA GRACE SARON)

THE TASK Force Davao will test how Davaoeños cooperate with authorities and react to terrorism incidents in the upcoming community exercise as part of the Davao City’s culture of security campaign.

The community exercise next week is aimed at evaluating the cooperation of the public in reporting suspicious persons, staying true to the culture of security’s campaign slogan, “May Nakita, Dapat Magsalita.”

The exercise also seeks to eliminate the tendency of the public to panic, and instead develop or increase their level of vigilance and aggressiveness in the fight against terrorism. This is also a test on the impact of flashing or disseminating the identity of suspected terrorists to the public.

Col. Consolito Yecla, Task Force Davao commander, said that this is the first time that the public will be involved in the city’s anti-terrorism simulation exercise.

“What we want to happen is to test how the individuals will react without causing panic in the city,” Yecla said.

He urged everyone, especially establishment owners and their customers, to participate in the community exercise. “If in case these actors are in their area, we urge you to report them to the appropriate authorities so they will be neutralized,” he added.

In the scenario, the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), through the Central 911, will announce using radio stations and other means of communication the presence of 25 persons who will play the role of terrorists.

Churches, hotels and inns, restaurants, malls, and government establishments will be targeted by the five actors.

Once the “terrorist” is reported either to TFD, DCPO (Davao City Police Office), or the PSSCC, it will be counted as “neutralized” by the sector.

Launched on July 1, 2020, the culture of security is a people-centered campaign that encourages Davaeños to be vigilant and report suspicious individuals immediately to authorities.

https://mindanaotimes.com.ph/2020/10/07/anti-terror-simex-to-include-public-for-the-first-time-tfd/