DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 16 Dec) – The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) 11 has received 6 brand new cars and eight motorcycles that will be dispatched on the streets to assist motorists going home for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
These vehicles were acquired by the national government to assist dignitaries and diplomats during the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting held last month in Manila, according to HPG 11 director Supt. Joy Andrade during the AFP-PNP press conference Wednesday at the Ritz Hotel at Garden Oasis.
These units – Toyota Altis cars and Kawasaki motorcycles – will augment their capability in enforcing traffic laws, Andrade said. The HPG 11 has 49 personnel.
The official said he has no knowledge on the cost of the vehicles since these were acquired by the national government.
He said the vehicles are set to be delivered to other HPG units in Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental Wednesday afternoon.
Andrade also reminded Dabawenyos who are on vacation to keep watch over their baggage to prevent cases of robberies on public transport like buses and jeepneys and for motorists to be extra cautious to avoid road accidents. “Hindi lang private vehicles but also those riding buses and jeepneys to avoid accidents and stop criminals from their notorious activities,” he said.
He said the HPG 11 is continuously distributing flyers and posters in bus and van terminals to educate the riding public on how they can protect themselves from the robbers.
“Nagbabakasyon ang mga kababayan so we become more alert,” Andrade said.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Senior Insp. Milgrace Driz said they have strengthened their monitoring on churches to secure the safety of the people attending early morning masses, or the Misa de Gallo.
Some 150 additional forces from the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 have been mobilized to assist the local police authorities detailed at the churches and other crowded places in the city.