DAVAO CITY (JANUARY 30) —  The city government of Davao is now implementing a “no backpack policy” in places of worship following the twin explosions in Our lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu last Sunday.
Benito de Leon, chief of the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) echoed the order of Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, “The city mayor has instructed us that churchgoers should no longer bring backpacks in going inside their places of worship for security reasons.”
In cases wherein churchgoers must bring backpack, de Leon said they will require the carrier “To submit it for inspection, they just have to cooperate because that is the policy.”
He urged churchgoers to bring only small handbag or purse to avoid delays since inspection is most likely to happen should they bring big bags or packs.
The ‘no backpack policy’ according to de Leon, will greatly in the prevention of crimes “We could avoid an incident, wherein some malicious individuals could put in explosive devices in backpacks, the same scheme that happened in Jolo.”.
De Leon said local authorities have already coordinated with the parishes in Davao to include this call in their announcements.
The city has also deployed police, military and auxiliaries to secure all places of convergence in the city.
Julianne, a college student who uses backpack daily said, “I respect and will abide the policy, In the meantime I will not use my backpack, it is my way of helping our city.”
Cristino Villaroman, 45, a regular churchgoer of San Pedro Cathedral said “Mabuti na kasing mag-iwas at mag cooperate tayo, hindi na rin ako mag backpack, kasi taga Davao ako, susundin ko ang mga kautusan nga alkade natin.”-Jiann A. Padillo/NewsLIne.ph
