The newly appointed Task Force Davao (TFD) commander has vowed to enhance intelligence capability to keep the city from any terrorist attacks.
“This position is challenging but it is the call of duty,” Col. Consolito Yecla said as he assumed the post Thursday afternoon.Yecla accepted the challenge of Mayor Sara Duterte to maintain the peace and security of the city.
“Ma’am, I will use my knowledge, training and skills to command Davao City,” the 14th TFD commander replied to Duterte’s challenge.
Yecla, in an interview, said he felt pressured being the new commander of the task force assigned to maintain the peace and order in the bailiwick of President Rodrigo Duterte.
“(The existing security measure) is already good enough,” he said. “But we should not let our guards down.”
“We should always remind our troops, just like what the mayor said, not to rest, not to sleep, and (to be) always on alert. That’s what we will do,” he said.
Spending a month in the city prior to his new appointment, Yecla said he has already become familiar with the system and will develop programs to further enhance the security in the city.
The new TFD chief said he would adopt the concept ‘everyone in the community is part of the security. ‘
“Although (our) personnel are hardworking,” Yecla said, “we need more eyes and ears.”
He said improving on intelligence monitoring is a must.
Yecla, a native of Banga, South Cotabato, is a member of Tanglaw-diwa, Philippine Military Academy Class 1992. Prior to his assumption, he was the secretary of the Joint Staff of the Armed Force of the Philippines (AFP).
Mayor Duterte picked Yecla over three other aspirants for the post.
“I chose Yecla since he hails from Cotabato City,” said Duterte, believing that the officer, as a Mindanaoan, already has a first-hand experience on the real situation of terrorism in the island.
On Thursday, he replaced Col. Nolasco Mempin, who spent a year and six months in his post. But Mempin is not leaving the city. He assumed as the new commander of the 1003rd Brigade based in Barangay Mahayag, Bunawan District.
In her speech during the turnover ceremony at the Sta. Ana Pier, Duterte also commended Mempin for his effective and outstanding performance as TFD commander.
The mayor gave Mempin a perfect 10 as no terroristic attack happened during his tour of duty in the city.
On Sept. 2, 2016, less than a year before Mempin assumed the TFD post, an improvised bomb hit the night market along Roxas Avenue killing 14 persons and wounded around 70 others.
