By Rose B. Palacio

Davao City (26 October) -- As Davao City Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte instructed a continued high alert level in the city, the Philippine National Police has also formed barangay organizations in various barangays in the region to lead in the fight against terrorism alongside the police, the military and law enforcers.

PNP XI Director Ricardo Quinto said police authorities have tapped barangay tanods and barangay organizations as force multipliers in the campaign to wipe out the threats to security.

Executive Order No. 546, which makes the PNP a co-equal partner with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the anti-insurgency campaign, also authorizes the use of barangay leaders as force multipliers to strengthen the government's fight against terrorism and other security threats.

Meanwhile, Davao Task Force Commander Col. Eduardo del Rosario said the New People's Army (NPAs) likewise remains the country's top security threat. They are capable of staging guerilla attacks and harassment, capable of ambushing small-sized army and police units and isolated detachments or outposts.

In Davao region, the NPAs presence are most felt in rural areas like in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte and Davao Oriental. However, situations in these areas are under control by military and law enforcers.

TFD Commander Col. Del Rosario and PNP City Director Catalino Cuy assured the people of Davao that the city's peace and order condition remains peaceful, manageable and controllable. Sustained manhunt are being undertaken by the military and police against syndicates, drug lords, and other subversive elements trying to penetrate Davao City.

As Mayor Duterte has been giving the PNP, the military, the TFD and law enforcers full support, we are also giving our all-out support to the Mayor's campaign and maintain a high level of law and order in the city, Director Quinto said.