Thirty-one members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) were invited at the Highway Patrol Group headquarters in Ecoland after they refused to be inspected at the random checkpoint in Barangay Sirawan, Toril District yesterday afternoon.
Sr. Insp. Ma. Theresita Gaspan, the spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said the HPG was conducting a road-clearing operation right before the Task Force Sirawan checkpoint area.
Accordingly, the black van they were riding was flagged down because of violation of Republic Act 4136.
“When asked to be inspected they refused, that is why they were brought to the HPG,” she said. “They were asked again to inspect their vehicle and they expressly gave their consent.”
She also said the random checks are part of the Davao City Police Office’s security measures in the implementation of Martial Law.
The city is also on red alert after the bombing in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat on Tuesday night.
“We are really implementing tightened security measures here in the city,” she added.
After the said inspection, Gaspan said the 31 MNLF members were released after no contraband was found in their possession. They were also apologetic after the process of inspection was explained to them.
The inspection of the van at the HPG XI office was conducted with city police director, Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum, in the presence of some barangay officials from Talomo, Col. Nolasco Mempin, the Task Force Davao commander, and Supt. Eliseo Malana, the chief of the HPG XI, and the members of the Explosives and Ordnance (EOD) team.
