Davao City’s security cluster on Wednesday night conducted a two-part simulation exercise (SIMEX) in two critical areas within the city.
The first scenario was staged at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) where an unattended baggage with an explosive device was planted. The second scenario involved the simulation of an explosion in City Hall with multiple casualties and injured persons.
“Pina-activate natin yong Integrated Response on Terrorism Plan ‘Usahay II’, activating the joint security forces in the event of a terror attack on Davao City,” said Task Force Davao Commander Col. Darren Comia.
Comia said the safety and security members met with flying colors the main objectives of the action plan. These were to deescalate the situation, minimize the damage to life and property, and to neutralize the threat of the perpetrators.
He bared that the planted explosive device in the first scenario was successfully retrieved by the K9 unit and safely disposed by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD). The emergency responders as well as the security and safety units, he said, also efficiently executed their duties.
Comia said all senior officers in the command post of last night’s SIMEX unanimously gave the security cluster a high score of 9/10, adding that the execution of the action plan was ‘near perfect’ were it not for some lapses in communication. He said, however, that this is to be expected due to the great number of responders hailing from both local and national agencies.
“May mga minor glitches. May mga small things to iron out and we will do that kasi by next we’ll be having the after-action review,” the TFD commander said.
“Objective pa rin natin na magkaroon ng muscle memory ‘yong lahat ng security and safety forces in the event of a terror attack sa Davao City. At least ma-achieve natin by rehearsing, by simulating yong mga possible scenarios,” he added.
Another remarkable thing during the last night’s SIMEX, Col. Comia said, is the participation of civilian volunteers in the exercise.
“They really participated well … Natutuwa din tayo on our part kasi they are volunteering themselves para matulungan ‘yong local government unit of Davao City and the security and safety forces,” he said.
The TFD Commander also thanked the public for their understanding and cooperation during the simulation exercise.
“Ang inyo pong safety and security cluster members ng Davao City ay gumagawa ng paraan para ma-ensure yong safety and security ng bawa’t-isang Dabawenyo. Ang inyo pong partisipasyon sa lahat ng security measures na ipanapatupad kagaya na ng mga simulation exercises ay napakalaking tulong po para ma-ensure natin o ma-address natin ang anumang situation at hand,” he said.
Wednesday’s SIMEX was participated in by personnel from the TF DAVAO, Davao City Police Office (DCPO), Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), 911 EMS, City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Regional Forensic Unit 11 (RFU XI), National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA XI), Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), Regional Maritime Unit (RMU XI), Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM), Tactical Operations Group (TOG 11), City Social Welfare Development Office (CSWDO). CIO
