- Davao del Norte bus robbery triggers red alert at Ecoland terminal
SECURITY at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) was raised to the highest level following the fatal bus robbery in Carmen, Davao del Norte on Saturday, Dec. 28.
DCOTT manager Aisa Usop assured the public that the Task Force Davao, police, and civilian security units immediately consolidated and locked down the city’s lone bus terminal.
Despite the incident, DCOTT is seeing a surge in passengers, likely due to the long weekend. Previously, Usop said they anticipated 1,500 bus trips daily, which would serve between 75,000 and 80,000 passengers from Christmas to the New Year.
Bus companies are also reminded not to pick up passengers in non-designated areas to ensure the security of passengers. Davao City Ordinance 0192 prohibits loading and unloading passengers except at the DCOTT.
The “no pick-up” policy was instituted as a security measure considering the numerous bombing incidents targeting provincial buses.
On Saturday afternoon, two men robbed and killed a bus passenger in Carmen, Davao del Norte before alighting and hijacking a motorcycle to flee the scene. Based on the CCTV footage, one robber stood guard by the door while the other shot the victim and grabbed the bag.
The CCTV inside the bus proved crucial in identifying the robbers, who are now the subject of a police manhunt.
Screenshot photo of Rhoda Grace B Saron from Aisa Usop social media account
