Sara: No curfew yet in Davao City

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio clarified that there is no curfew being imposed yet in the city amid the declaration of Martial Law, as she advised the public to be alert and vigilant when going out.

Duterte-Carpio recently issued guidelines on Wednesday for Dabawenyos to follow amid the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao. There was confusion among the public with regards the implementation of a curfew as social media posts began to circulate that a curfew has been implemented in Davao City after martial law was declared in Mindanao.

“Sabi ko nga yong guidelines naman were only permissive it was not mandatory. There is no curfew in Davao City as of this moment, walang curfew,” she said during the arrival ceremony yesterday of Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas

Gregorio del Pilar at Sasa Wharf.

“Anybody can go out, it’s just that we asked everybody to exercise prudence in their daily activities,” she added.

In Davao City there is already a curfew ordinance being imposed prohibiting minors from loitering around the city between 10 pm and 5 am without the company of parents or guardians of legal age. The new guidelines discouraged minors from going out of their residences except when accompanied by adults.

Meanwhile, there are some business establishments who raised concerns that the declaration of martial law will somehow affect their operations because few people are going out at night.

Thus, Duterte-Carpio urged them to adjust in the new system because it was only intended for the welfare of the general public.

“If that is the decision of the residents na umuwi ng maaga, then much better for the community. Unfortunately, meron talagang businesses na maapektuhan nito. They will have to adjust. Siguro, open earlier as a suggestion to them,” she said.

With regards to the guidelines, Duterte have not received any opposition yet since it has only been two days. She stressed that the guidelines is only a direction in the absence of parameters set by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) or the Office of the President with regards to the state of Martial Law in Mindanao.

“These were common sense guidelines and these were permissive and not mandatory unless the activities and actions of a civilian or a resident is already a violation of a law or ordinance then they can be arrested,” he said.

The city has been placed in heightened alert status and DuterteCarpio said authorities have been conducting extensive operations to areas where there are intelligence reports of presence of suspected terrorist.

Today, she will hold a meeting with the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) to harmonize the security plans of different law enforcement units for proper implementation of stiffer security measures. JCR day dawn.

Through this order, a much stricter checkpoint operations were conducted in many areas within Davao city.

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office (PRO 11) regional director chief superintendent Manuel Gaerlan said he is hopeful that the trend will continue.

PRO 11 spokesperson Police Senior Inspector Andrea dela Cerna, in an interview, said that they hope the public continues cooperate to maintain peace and order in the region.

“We are positive that with all our efforts, we will achieve our ultimate goal that is to have peace and crime free community,” dela Cerna added.

Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) chief Benito De Leon mentioned in the same media forum that the implementation of the Martial Law is a welcome development contrary to the claims of “abuses” that can be done to civilians, it makes the area more secure.

De Leon said that citizens can immediately report any abuses done to them. KVC